Tottenham Hotspur saved their finest performance of pre-season for Saturday, swatting aside Hoffenheim with ease.
The Lilywhites ran away 3-0 victors. Mikey Moore and Richarlison were on hand to seal victory while Mathys Tel also stood out, claiming two assists.
The irony is that their best display came courtesy of three players who are unlikely to be handed many starts this season. Moore’s future hinges on incomings, as does Tel’s, while Richarlison may well head for the exit door himself.
In Savinho and Cody Gakpo, Roberto De Zerbi’s side could find a way to upgrade on all three.
Why Spurs are pushing to sign Gakpo and Savinho
The simple fact is that Spurs need more goals and they need more creativity; Gakpo and Savinho would bring just that.
In the former, they would seal one of their signings of the summer. Sure he may not be quite as exciting as someone like Mateus Fernandes or Sandro Tonali, nor will he cost quite as much.
Yet, the Liverpool forward has been a product of efficiency throughout his senior career to date. During his final full campaign with PSV Eindhoven, the Dutchman scored 19 times.
He then swapped the Netherlands for England midway through the 2022/23 season, scoring 20 across all competitions. Another two productive terms have followed.
Gakpo fired home 16 during his first full year at Anfield and then as Liverpool won the title in 2024/25, the 27-year-old netted in 18 occasions across league and cup.
It’s consistency that has not been seen at Spurs in recent years. Indeed, Dominic Solanke bagged just six goals last term. Richarlison, meanwhile, beat the goalkeeper 12 times which, to his credit, was better than a miserable five-goal campaign a year prior.
If Gakpo is entrusted with scoring the goals then Savinho will be tasked with assisting them. He’s a fabulous creator and while the Brazilian did only register three assists in 2025/26, he played just 1,502 minutes. Pep Guardiola did not give him much game time at all.
2024/25 showcased precisely what he’s all about, though. The winger’s first season at Manchester City saw him claim 13 assists. In the Premier League, only Kevin De Bruyne in the City squad registered more key passes per game (2.1) than Savinho’s haul of 1.6.
Still, there are question marks surrounding their consistency. It is what has led to alternatives being sought.
Tottenham’s perfect Gakpo and Savinho upgrade
This has been a busy summer for De Zerbi and his recruitment team and they are showing no signs of slowing down as we begin to reach the last knockings of the transfer window.
If a move falls through for Savinho, they have explored the conditions of a move for Chelsea’s Pedro Neto but that one looks unlikely. He has been valued at a whopping £100m by the Blues.
Another alternative could be a second Man City attacker in the form of Omar Marmoush. Reports late on Wednesday indicated that the Lilywhites were trying to tie up a double deal with the Citizens for him and Savinho.
The latest on a deal comes from The Article, who delivered prominent updates on Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes earlier this summer. They report that the Egyptian has already agreed personal terms with Spurs over a long-term contract. It’s stated that a deal worth £68m is being spoken about.
More of a Gakpo than a Savinho. Marmoush scores more frequently than he creates for his teammates and has proven in recent years he is one of the most effervescent forwards in the game.
As it was for his Brazilian colleague, 2025/26 was a struggle for Marmoush. He played even fewer minutes at 1,393 but he did score eight goals, one every 174 minutes which isn’t bad going.
It was in 2024/25 that the 27-year-old showed his true class, certainly proving he’s a more explosive asset than Spurs’ leading transfer targets.
Before joining City in January of 2025, he scored 15 goals in 17 Bundesliga matches for Eintracht Frankfurt, eventually firing in 28 goals in 51 matches. For good measure, he also totted up 17 assists.
At that stage, the Egypt international was one of the best forwards in the world. Those numbers are better than any campaign Savinho or Gakpo have ever produced.
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Marmoush vs Gakpo: 24/25 league stats |
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|---|---|---|
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Stats (per 90 mins) |
Marmoush |
Gakpo |
|
Non-penalty goals |
0.80 |
0.46 |
|
Shots |
4.77 |
2.65 |
|
Open play big chances created |
0.56 |
0.51 |
|
Successful dribbles |
2.85 |
1.44 |
|
Progressive carries |
3.59 |
3.06 |
|
Progressive passes |
2.54 |
1.86 |
|
Shot-ending carries |
1.61 |
1.86 |
|
Marmoush stats = Bundesliga |
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In 2024/25, when Marmoush and Gakpo had their best seasons, it was certainly the former who led the way.
In the Bundesliga he was simply frightening, not just registering nearly a goal per game but tallying up far more successful dribbles and progressive passes, as well as proving to be more efficient as far as progressive carries were concerned.
Possessing pace, an almighty shot, versatility – he can play up top or on the flanks – and experience, this move ticks so many boxes for Spurs. Really, they should be in for him instead of Savinho. He could well prove to be even better than Gakpo as well.
