Tottenham plotting hijack to sign £52m Savinho alternative after Chelsea enquiry

Tottenham Hotspur are now plotting a move for Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo as an alternative to Manchester City’s Savinho.

Despite being engaged in talks regarding a deal for the Brazilian for weeks, Tottenham have been unable to make a breakthrough, and they are now looking at alternative options.

Fernandez-Pardo is a centre-forward by trade, but he is versatile enough to play on both flanks, primarily featuring either through the middle or on the left for current club Lille.

Last season, the 21-year-old’s goalscoring abilities were regularly on display in Ligue 1, getting on the scoresheet eight times in 29 matches, while he also provided five assists.

Como scout Ben Mattinson has described the youngster as a “composed finisher”, and he is capable of driving at opposition defences too, averaging 1.4 successful dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 last season.

Savinho, on the other hand, didn’t have the greatest of campaigns at Man City, picking up just one goal and two assists in 24 Premier League matches, with the Brazilian failing to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s plans and featuring for just 821 minutes.

Tottenham eyeing Matias Fernandez-Pardo as Savinho alternative

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are eyeing a move for Fernandez-Pardo as an alternative to Savinho, with a hijack of Atletico Madrid now on the cards.

The Spanish side have launched a £30m offer for the forward, but they are facing competition in the race for his signature, with London rivals Chelsea also lodging enquiries and a move to the Premier League seen as more enticing than LaLiga.

Spurs are keen to improve their options at centre-forward, meaning the Lille marksman could be ideal, but should they be unable to get a deal done, they could also move for Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze or AS Monaco’s Folarin Balogun.

Reports this summer suggest it could take £52m to tempt Lille into a sale, meaning Fernandez-Pardo would be a relatively expensive addition to the squad, and at 21-years-old, he is yet to prove himself over a sustained period of time.

Balogun, on the other hand, scored three goals for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup, while the American also netted five goals in ten Champions League appearances last season, showcasing his ability to perform at the top level.

Mikautadze could also be an exciting option, considering he amassed 19 goal involvements in La Liga last season, which is one more than Balogun managed in Ligue 1.

However, the Georgian rarely plays in any position except striker, and the same can be said about Balogun, so if Roberto De Zerbi wants to sign a versatile forward, Fernandez-Pardo could be exactly what he is looking for.