Enzo Maresca has provided an update on Tottenham transfer target Savinho following his absence from Manchester City training. The Brazilian winger did not join his team-mates on Thursday as they continued preparations for Sunday’s Community Shield showdown with Arsenal in Cardiff.
It was reported that Savinho was dealing with an illness - something that has now been confirmed by City boss Maresca.
Maresca confirms illness
“Yesterday he was not part of the session,” the Italian said at Friday’s pre-Arsenal press conference. “He was a bit ill. We'll see today, the session is in the afternoon, we'll see how it is and we'll decide.”
Tottenham are known to have been working on a deal for Savinho, who has been a key attacking target for much of the summer window so far. The 22-year-old was last month said to have handed in a transfer request at City as he seeks more regular first-team opportunities, having started only seven Premier League games during Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge and scored just once.
Spurs’ interest and other targets
Fabrizio Romano reported that Savinho had this week reaffirmed his desire to leave the Etihad Stadium and join Spurs, with suggestions that City are demanding a fee of around £65million for a player they signed from City Football Group sister club Troyes for £30m in 2024.
Tottenham are also interested in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and have been linked with former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun as they seek to boost head coach Roberto De Zerbi’s attacking options before the transfer window closes for business on September 1.
Spurs’ summer spending so far
So far their additions during an ambitious summer have been largely focused on midfield and defence, with approximately £229m spent on the additions of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, who joined along with free agents Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka.
De Zerbi has said previously that Tottenham are still seeking to make two or three more signings before the deadline, hinting at another “bomba” deal.
City’s summer moves
City have already sanctioned the sales of James Trafford, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake this summer as they reshape their squad at the start of the Maresca era, while spending £116m on England midfielder Elliot Anderson and re-signing goalkeepers Geronimo Rulli and Pierce Charles, in addition to moving for youngsters Mathys Detourbet and Jeremy Monga.
They have until 5pm BST on Friday to submit an offer for Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea hold out for £120m, with Barcelona expected to submit a third bid for Rodri imminently as Tijjani Reijnders moves to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah for £52m just one year after joining from AC Milan.
