Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur seem like intertwined vines this summer transfer window. There is a lot of common interest in same transfer targets as well as one club being interested in the other’s players.
The two teams recently faced off on the pitch in what was a memorable match from a Spurs perspective. Thomas Frank outcoached and outclassed Pep Guardiola in that game, which is not something many managers can boast of.
The North London club emerged 2-0 winners at the Etihad, further enhancing their reputation as a bogey team for Man City. Spurs are now looking to hand City another blow in quick succession by signing Brazilian attacker Savinho from them.
Savinho might be ready to move to Tottenham
The ex-Girona winger has spent one season at the Etihad but much like most other players at the club, is a part of Pep Guardiola’s selection roulette. Thus, he might want to move to Tottenham where can become one of the faces of the project.
One other winger Spurs have been interested in, but looks unlikely, is Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo. Interestingly, Manchester City are the other club interested in signing the Brazilian attacker, to reinforce the attack this summer.
Now, as per ex-scout Mick Brown on Football Insider, Manchester City are “pushing for” Rodrygo in the final days of the transfer window which could indirectly open the door for Savinho to move to the N17. Here is what he said:
“Rodrygo is one Man City are pushing for. They’ve got so many players in wide areas already, but they’ve lost Grealish so perhaps they feel there’s a space he has left in the squad. There’s been talk about Savinho as well maybe going to Tottenham, but I don’t think he has to leave before they bring somebody else in. From City’s perspective, they’d happily have both of them to give them that strength in depth.”
“I always think Pep Guardiola has to decide on what his first-choice wide-men are, because at the moment he chops and changes and it can be inconsistent. But I think if Rodrygo is available, and I think he will be because he’s not a crucial part of that Real Madrid team, he will be of interest to them. I think it’s a move the player will be open to as well. Guardiola wants to strengthen, they’ve shown that already, and this could be the next move.”
Spurs would actually not mind Man City pipping them to Rodrygo
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticFC/status/1960273891395305970
Normally, in a transfer market, clubs would not want a rival to go ahead and sign a player they are also interested in. However, on this occasion, Tottenham might actually be encouraging and secretly hoping that Rodrygo signs for the Manchester-based club.
What this would then do is allow them to push ahead and try and sign Savinho. The Brazilian is willing to move to the N17 to take his career to the next level but for now, Hugo Viana & co. are not yet sanctioning an exit for the 21-year-old.
Regardless of what happens with Savinho and Rodrygo, Tottenham are almost guaranteed to have a blockbuster end to the transfer window. Whether they end it with a smile or a frown would shape how the sensation is for the rest of the campaign.