Savio signs blockbuster deal with Tottenham
Savinho will be known as Savio once again after completing his blockbuster £85 million transfer from Manchester City to Tottenham, reports BritPanorama.
The Brazilian was unveiled as Spurs’ seventh major signing on Tuesday, but supporters will notice a significant change when he makes his debut for Tottenham. The back of his new No 17 Tottenham shirt reads Savio rather than Savinho, the name used at City. That is the 22-year-old’s given name, which he wore during his loan spell with Girona.
Savio has not explained why he made the change. He previously revealed that Brazil introduced the Savinho variation before he asked City to adopt it. “[My name change] is because in the national team, the first call-up they put Savinho on the shirt,” he explained in July 2024. “People in Girona knew me more as Savinho, it was just written Savio on the shirt, you know?”
Savio has now reverted to the name which appeared on his shirt during the most productive campaign of his career. He scored 11 goals and registered 10 assists for Girona in 2023-24, helping the Spanish club secure Champions League qualification. The Brazilian later supplied 13 assists across all competitions during his first campaign with City, although he managed only seven goals in 84 appearances before leaving the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham will pay an initial £75 million for the winger, with another £10 million potentially due through performance-related add-ons. Around £5 million of those bonuses are considered effectively guaranteed, meaning City are expected to bank at least £80 million. The agreement represents a club-record sale for City, surpassing the £82 million package which took Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in 2024. Spurs finally landed Savio after failing with an attempt to sign him last summer.
“It’s taken a while but I’m very happy to be here,” Savio said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world. As soon as I spoke to the head coach I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to help me reach the highest level, and I believe we can do that together, as a team.”
His arrival takes Tottenham’s summer spending beyond £300 million following deals for Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke. Those three players cost a combined £237 million, while Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi arrived on free transfers.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi believes Savio will add unpredictability and attacking quality to his squad. “Savio is a player who brings energy, imagination and quality in wide positions,” De Zerbi said. “He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity.”
The winger could make an immediate debut when Tottenham host Charlton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Should he feature, it will mark the beginning of a new chapter at Tottenham as the club look to win the competition for the first time since 2008.
As Spurs set their sights on silverware, the stakes have never been higher for Savio to shine on the big stage, where every touch could echo the ambitions of a club hungry for success.
