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How Pep Guardiola ‘persuaded’ Brazilian star to put Manchester City first amidst Tottenham Hotspur interest

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Jainil Shah | Last updated Sep 29, 2025 10:12 AM ET

Pep Guardiola envisions a future at Manchester City for Tottenham Hotspur target Savinho

Tottenham Hotspur were desperate to bring in a new wide forward in the recently concluded summer transfer window. The North Londoners were aggressively pushing to sign Manchester City winger Savinho for a while there, with the winger being among priority targets at Hotspur Way.

The Lilywhites had lodged two bids to secure his signing in August. There was a time when it looked like Savinho would most likely end up at Hotspur Way. City were looking at Real Madrid winger Rodrygo as a dream replacement, but Tottenham couldn’t meet the Brazilian’s valuation. And despite a lot of noise going around about a possible transfer, no move materialised, and he ended up staying put with the Manchester Blues.

The 21-year-old was understood to be open to a move to N17. He believed that playing for the Lilywhites would see him get more regular minutes. And being an integral part of Frank’s setup would make him more likely to go to the 2026 World Cup.

Savinho lack minutes at City but Pep found a way…

That said, he would have had a much better shot at representing Brazil in the World Cup if he had done Tottenham colours. Given that he has only accumulated 78 Premier League minutes so far this season. But in the huge turn of events, despite lacking minutes, Savinho is on the verge of committing his long-term future with the Cityzens.

In his latest report, Graeme Bailey, football chief correspondent at TBR Football, revealed that Pep Guardiola ended up taking charge of proceedings and played a big role in persuading Savinho to sign a new contract at the Etihad. He, alongside the chiefs at City, ended up insisting how he is still a big part of the project for the Manchester Blues and ended up convincing him to sign a new deal.

Bailey said (via. TBR Football):

“I am told that after the window closed, both Guardiola and Viana had lengthy talks with Savinho, where they underlined their belief to him that he has a major part to play.

“They have a huge belief in his talent and admiration for him as a person. Hearing the backing he has, Savinho has been persuaded that his future lies in Manchester.”

TTLB Opinion

For Tottenham this is a big blow . Given that the current side does not have someone who is more of a one-v-one winger. Thomas Frank does have Mohammed Kudus, who is often playing more on the inside, almost as a hybrid playmaker (and winger). And then you have Johnson, who is good with through runs in behind. Many would argue that the Lilywhites have Odobert, but let’s face it, he is very raw and inconsistent at the moment to give the output that Tottenham needs.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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