Spurs look to be closing in on £60m signing

It’s largely all been about experience and proven Premier League quality for Tottenham Hotspur, with Roberto De Zerbi strengthening his spine with the likes of Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali.

That approach appears to have come at a cost for Spurs’ emerging young core, however, with Luka Vuskovic sold on to Brighton and Hove Albion, while Lucas Bergvall – as Football FanCast exclusively revealed earlier this summer – appears to be another rising star who could depart before the deadline.

That’s not to say the Lilywhites haven’t also been keen on some youthful incomings of their own, notably landing 22-year-old midfielder, Mateus Fernandes, while also pursuing Bournemouth’s 20-year-old sensation, Eli Junior Kroupi, before injury struck.

Recent days have also seen Tottenham emerge as a potential suitor for Real Madrid starlet, Endrick, with European clubs queuing up to try and prise the Brazilian wonderkid from the Bernabeu. But will anyone be successful?

Why Spurs’ won’t be signing Endrick

Reports indicated that Spurs had held talks regarding a potential move for the 20-year-old, with Endrick facing an uncertain future in Spain following the arrival of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.

He had already been on the periphery last season, ultimately joining Ligue 1 side Lyon on loan in January, having made just a solitary LaLiga appearance in the first half of the campaign.

That six-month stay in France showcased just why there is such a buzz around the South American, as he scored and assisted 12 goals in just 14 starts in Ligue 1.

Operating off the right flank, the diminutive left-footer was such a creative, dynamic force, having also averaged 1.9 key passes and 2.3 successful dribbles per game.

Despite joining midway through the campaign, he still ended the season ranked level with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola in tenth in the division in terms of total successful dribbles completed.

For the first time since his move to Europe, Endrick really flourished in that loan spell, hence why there is such admiration from the likes of Spurs.

Frustratingly, however, The Athletic revealed earlier this week that the youngster will now be staying put in Madrid, following a decision made by both the club and returning boss, Jose Mourinho.

A possible loan next January hasn’t been ruled out, although for now, Spurs will have to park their interest and laser in on alternative targets instead.

How Spurs could sign their answer to Endrick this summer

It’s been over a month now since the Lilywhites wrapped up their sixth summer signing following the £100m capture of Sandro Tonali, with the forward line yet to be addressed as the new season approaches.

As noted, there was a sense that the aforementioned Kroupi was keen to join at one stage, only for a cruel metatarsal injury to put paid to any exit from the Vitality Stadium.

One deal that does look more likely, however, is the arrival of Savinho from Manchester City, with Football Insider reporting that the north London side are ‘now finally closing in on a permanent deal’.

It is said that ‘all parties’ are keen for this transfer to go ahead, with there an increasing likelihood that the 22-year-old will be a Spurs player before the deadline.

This may not be the marquee name that supporters have been waiting for, but Savinho has his merits, certainly mirroring Endrick as another exciting young Brazilian who could re-energise De Zerbi’s forward line.

A left-footer who can thrive on either flank, like Endrick, the key feature of Savinho’s game is his dribbling prowess, having previously dazzled in LaLiga in that regard back in 2023/24.

Then at Girona, Savinho actually bettered Endrick’s recent Lyon average by recording 2.8 successful dribbles per game from his 35 starts, proving such a handful for the high-flying side.

REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

Indeed, the fleet-footed winger finished top of the charts in terms of total successful dribbles completed, ahead of the likes of Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Junior that year.

That stellar campaign with the Catalan side also saw Savinho rack up ten assists and create 14 ‘big chances’, with Endrick, for comparison, racking up seven assists and creating nine ‘big chances’ last time out.

Both slight, diminutive players, both Savinho and Endrick are so hard to contain when in full flow, such is their deadly combination of speed and dribbling prowess.

Of course, the Madrid starlet seemingly has the higher ceiling, but Savinho isn’t a poor alternative or rival option, with even his debut season in Manchester ending positively as he chalked up eight Premier League assists in 2024/25.

REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

Like Endrick with Los Blancos, it has been difficult nailing down a regular role on the whole at the Etihad, with the one-time Troyes speedster restricted to just seven league starts in 2025/26 under Pep Guardiola.

Perhaps – like Endrick showed at Lyon – a fresh start and a move away from City could allow Savinho to find his groove again, with a reported £60m price tag potentially set to prove a steal.