adminThe summer of 2025 was one to forget for Tottenham Hotspur, as then-manager Thomas Frank endured a relentless series of transfer disappointments.
Targets like Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze, and Bryan Mbeumo slipped through their fingers, and Frank later revealed the club had also tracked Antoine Semenyo—before the Ghanaian joined Manchester City in January.
City also thwarted Spurs in their pursuit of Brazilian winger Savinho, with two bids turned down for the 22-year-old. Despite a managerial change at N17, Tottenham have kept the flame alive, and it now seems increasingly certain that Savinho will be part of Roberto De Zerbi’s squad for the coming season.
Savinho’s 2025/26 season by the numbers
Tottenham are expected to renew their interest in Savinho, even after a rocky second Premier League campaign.
His 2024/25 debut had promised much—eight assists in the top flight—but last season saw his influence wane, especially after Semenyo’s winter arrival pushed him further down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order.
Over the entire campaign, the South American managed just one goal and one assist, starting only seven league matches as Guardiola turned more often to Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, and Jérémy Doku.
His creative output dried up too: he created zero big chances and averaged a modest 0.7 successful dribbles per game—a steep drop from the previous season’s 11 big chances and 1.8 dribbles per match.
It’s that earlier form—both at City and during his standout stint at Girona—that Spurs and De Zerbi are likely banking on.
Yet the £60m man arrives without momentum, and Tottenham may need more than just one attacking reinforcement to truly elevate De Zerbi’s squad. Looking beyond the Premier League for emerging talent could be essential.
A potential upgrade on Savinho for £51m?
Spurs have already strengthened defence and midfield this summer, but the forward line remains unfinished, with youth a clear priority.
A year ago, they invested heavily in Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus, though both saw their seasons cut short by injury—Simons is still recovering from an ACL issue.
Simons arrived from RB Leipzig for £52m, and reports suggest a similar fee could land his former teammate, Antonio Nusa. Both Tottenham and Arsenal are said to be keen on the Norwegian, with Leipzig likely to demand around £51m.
Spurs are described as “firmly in the race,” though outgoings may be needed before they can submit an official bid.
The 21-year-old winger impressed at the World Cup, helping Norway reach the quarter-finals and curling in a stunning opener against Ivory Coast in the round of 32.
Like Savinho, Nusa is an explosive, two-footed wide player, but his 2025/26 campaign was far more productive: seven goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga, compared to Savinho’s two total contributions. He also created nine big chances and averaged 1.1 key passes per game.
Where Nusa truly shines is in dribbling—he averaged 2.2 successful take-ons per match, well above Savinho’s 0.7. Across the German top flight, he ranked second in total successful dribbles (68), behind only Leipzig teammate Yan Diomande (118).
While Diomande grabs the headlines, Nusa’s potential at £51m could prove a bargain.
Savinho, at 22, has the advantage of Premier League experience, though his subdued 2025/26 raises questions about whether he can rediscover his best form.
Nusa, by contrast, is very much on an upward trajectory—and for Tottenham, beating Arsenal to his signature would make the victory all the sweeter.
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