adminFollowing back-to-back record-breaking deals for Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, Tottenham Hotspur are now turning their focus to bolstering their attack.
A host of high-profile names have surfaced in speculation, with Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi among the most prominent—though Arsenal are also keen on the young forward.
Other options include Cody Gakpo, Marcus Rashford, and AC Milan’s Rafael Leão, the latter widely expected to depart San Siro this summer.
Why Leão is on Spurs’ radar
While no formal bid has materialised, reports suggest Tottenham have held discussions with super-agent Jorge Mendes regarding Leão’s next move.
The Portuguese winger is hailed as one of Europe’s finest, renowned for his explosive pace down the left flank—his long strides reminiscent of a sprinter. AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has even compared his cutting inside onto his stronger right foot to a young Thierry Henry.
Since Heung-min Son’s departure a year ago, Spurs have lacked a dynamic wide presence on that side, and Leão fits the bill perfectly: lightning-fast, excellent in one-on-ones, and a constant threat to opposing full-backs.
At 27, he’s far from a one-dimensional player. Over the past five seasons, he has netted at least ten goals each campaign, and prior to registering just three assists in 2025/26, he had recorded double-digit assists for four consecutive years.
However, Leão is not Roberto De Zerbi’s primary choice for the flank.
Why a £60m City star takes priority
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham’s main targets are actually Cody Gakpo—though Liverpool have yet to entertain a sale—and Manchester City’s Savinho.
Romano stated: “Savinho is a top target… number one, two and three because Tottenham already wanted him one year ago.” Valued at around £60m, the Brazilian has drawn mixed reactions from fans after managing only one Premier League goal in 2025/26.
In terms of goal output, Savinho pales beside Leão—just seven strikes in 84 City appearances. Yet beyond scoring, they share key traits. Both excel at progressing the ball and beating defenders; Savinho, in particular, ranks among the best in Europe’s top leagues for carrying the ball forward.
Their creative numbers are also closely matched, with similar expected assists and through-ball metrics. Savinho delivered 13 assists in his debut Etihad season, while Leão averaged 11 per campaign from 2021/22 to 2024/25.
At just 22, with Premier League experience and considerable room to grow, there’s a strong argument for Tottenham to invest in the City winger instead.
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