In the high-stakes world of Premier League transfers, Tottenham Hotspur have once again found themselves on the wrong side of a dramatic deadline-day saga. The north London club, fresh off their Europa League triumph just three months ago, appeared poised to secure the signature of Crystal Palace's talismanic attacker Eberechi Eze. However, in a stunning turn of events, Arsenal hijacked the deal, leaving Spurs scrambling to reinforce their attacking ranks. With the transfer window slamming shut on September 1, 2025, Tottenham have pivoted to a bold pursuit of Manchester City's young Brazilian sensation, Savinho, in a move that could shatter their club record fee.
The Eze pursuit had been a protracted affair for Tottenham. Negotiations with Crystal Palace dragged on for weeks, bogged down by disputes over payment structures, add-ons, and upfront cash. Spurs' chairman Daniel Levy, known for his hard-nosed bargaining, reportedly hesitated to meet Palace's demands outright, even as Eze's £68 million release clause loomed as a benchmark. By mid-August, talks had nearly collapsed, with sources indicating that Tottenham's offer hovered around £60 million plus £7.5 million in bonuses figures that Palace deemed insufficient without a replacement lined up. Crystal Palace's participation in the Europa Conference League qualifiers against Frederikstad further delayed any sale, as the club prioritized squad stability.
Unbeknownst to many, Arsenal had been lurking in the shadows. The Gunners secured the principles of an agreement with Palace as early as August 10, 2025, though they kept the move under wraps until it was finalized on August 20. This silent hijack was facilitated by a closer relationship between Palace chairman Steve Parish and Arsenal's executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis, enabling smoother communication. Arsenal's bid matched the expired release clause more closely, and they sweetened the pot with potential player swaps, such as defender Jakub Kiwior, whom Palace eyed as a defensive reinforcement. Eze, a boyhood Arsenal fan who spent five years in their academy before being released at age 13, reportedly favored the move for its emotional pull and better prospects of silverware. He is set to undergo a medical with Arsenal imminently, with the fee confirmed at £68 million.
For Tottenham, missing out on Eze is more than a mere transfer setback it's symptomatic of deeper issues in their recruitment strategy. Under new head coach Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou amid a sluggish start to the season, Spurs have struggled to build on their Europa League success. The squad has been depleted by key departures, including Oliver Skipp, Emerson Royal, Giovani Lo Celso, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, without commensurate replacements. Injuries have compounded the woes: James Maddison is sidelined for most of the campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, while Dejan Kulusevski undergoes surgery on his kneecap. Son Heung-min's move to Los Angeles FC has further eroded their attacking depth.
The Athletic's analysis paints a grim picture: despite signings like Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert, Archie Gray, and Lucas Bergvall, these are largely project players rather than immediate impact-makers. Rivals such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City have splashed over £150 million each on reinforcements, widening the gap. Tottenham's early-season form—wins over Burnley and a spirited UEFA Super Cup showing against Paris Saint-Germain—masks underlying fragility. Without a creative spark like Eze, who could operate as a No. 10 or left winger, Frank's tactical flexibility is limited. Options such as shifting Mohammed Kudus centrally or relying on box-to-box midfielders like Pape Matar Sarr feel like stopgaps.
Enter Savinho, the 21-year-old Brazilian winger who has emerged as Tottenham's primary alternative. Fresh from a breakout loan spell at Girona last season, where he helped propel the club to Champions League qualification, Savinho joined Manchester City last summer but has seen limited minutes under Pep Guardiola. Known for his blistering pace, dribbling prowess, and versatility across the flanks, the Brazil international fits Frank's high-pressing, fluid system. Tottenham's initial £60 million bid was rebuffed, but they've upped the ante to around €80 million (£69.2 million)—a figure that would eclipse their record £65 million outlay for Solanke. Negotiations are tense, with City reluctant to sell despite Savinho's reported willingness to move for more playing time. His agents are in London pushing the deal, but Guardiola views him as a long-term asset. Sources indicate City are holding firm at £70 million, blocking the transfer amid their own squad depth concerns. Savinho broke his silence on social media recently, posting cryptic messages about "new challenges," fueling speculation. If the deal materializes, it could provide the dynamism Spurs crave, especially with Kudus potentially moving centrally to cover for Maddison.
Should the Savinho pursuit falter, Tottenham have contingencies. They've been offered a £43 million Serie A winger, eyed Southampton's Tyler Dibling (though Everton lead), and identified Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche as a cheaper option.
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