Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about Savinho amid strong transfer interest from Tottenham
Pep Guardiola and Savinho
Pep Guardiola will be without Savinho for the next two weeks - but hasn't heard from the winger that he wants to leave for good. The Manchester City manager said that the player can 'hopefully' stay at the club for years despite strong transfer interest from Tottenham.
Savinho played more than 3,000 minutes in his debut season at the Etihad and started three of City's four games at the Club World Cup as Guardiola appeared to keep faith with him.
The Brazilian came off the bench for the second half of the friendly with Palermo last week, playing in the team that looked to contain most of the starters for Wolves.
However, news of Tottenham's approach came not long after and the winger has not been spotted in training this week. City expressed a preference to keep Savinho, although like almost any player in the squad there is a value that they will be willing to sell at.
Guardiola said Savinho will be out for a few weeks with an injury he picked up against Palermo but will not be available to face Wolves. However, he said he had received no word from the player that he wanted to leave and if he does he will have to get Spurs or another club to put an offer forward that City can accept.
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"Whether it's Tottenham in that case or any other club, a player should call the club. I am only concerned right now that Savinho will be with us for the rest of the season and hopefully many years because at 21 with the potential he has he has to improve in final positions but he is an extraordinary player," Guardiola said.
"Otherwise, he would not have played more than 3,000 minutes last season. At the end, as always, the desire of the players is above everything but then they have to find an agreement with the club.
"If they don't take an agreement, the player will be here because the club spends money on those players."
Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic will also miss the trip to Wolves but Phil Foden and Rodri will travel
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