It took Arsenal some time to find a backup option for Bukayo Saka.
The £52m signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea in July finally provides Mikel Arteta with a winger who likes to cut inside from the right flank onto his stronger left foot.
Previously, Arsenal used makeshift options in this area, such as Raheem Sterling – a vastly different profile who prefers to use his right foot.
There was, however, an attempt to sign a cheaper deputy for Bukayo Saka back in the summer of 2022 in Savinho – who could now be heading to Tottenham.
The City Football Group signed the Brazilian from Atletico Mineiro in June 2022 for a measly sum of just £5.6m – initially assigning him to Troyes.
Savinho then spent time at another club inside the City Football Group after a loan to Girona, before sealing a £30.8m move to the organisation’s flagship side Manchester City in July 2024 after impressing.
However, Arsenal were keen to beat the City Football Group to the South American, a fact the winger admitted himself when speaking to SPORT.
When the Spanish news outlet asked if any other club made serious attempts to sign him before the City Football Group, Savinho revealed: “Yes. Arsenal wanted me and so did Bragantino from Brazil.”
The 21-year-old is similar to Saka and Madueke in the way that he too likes to cut inside from the right onto his preferred left foot.
Therefore, Arteta could have signed a much cheaper alternative to Madueke for just £5.6m back in June 2022 – and if that didn’t already irk the Spaniard, Savinho could now join bitter rivals Tottenham.
TBR Football understand Tottenham and Manchester City are now locked in talks over Savinho – with a move to north London possible for the winger.
The Citizens are demanding at least £50m for the man born in Sao Mateus.
Tottenham just sold Heung-min Son to LAFC for a sum of £20m, a deal which also removes his £190,000-a-week salary from the wage bill.
Therefore, Spurs do have a significant amount of financial wriggle-room to sign a new attacker.
