From Atlético’s youth academy to European football

Major changes continue to shake up the squads of various Premier League clubs. Just a few days after Rodri left Manchester City to join Barcelona, the club is on the verge of losing another player: the Brazilian winger Savinho.

The 22-year-old, born in the municipality of São Mateus in the state of Espírito Santo, began his career in the youth ranks at Atlético Mineiro. There, he caught the eye with his pace, quick feet and unpredictable bursts of speed. After winning the South American Under-15 Championship with the Brazilian national team in 2019, Savinho signed his first professional contract in 2020.

He won six titles with Atlético Mineiro, including the 2021 Brasileirão and three consecutive state championships, before signing for the City Football Group in 2022. The forward moved to Troyes, the group’s Ligue 1 club, but never made an appearance for the side. He was then loaned to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, where he won two titles.

The season that changed everything

This was followed by an even more significant loan move to Girona in La Liga. In Spain, Savinho played a key role in the campaign that saw the club finish third in the league and qualify for the Champions League for the first time ever.

His performances were decisive. In 37 matches that season, he scored nine goals and provided eight assists, as well as leading the league in successful dribbles (104), progressive runs (181) and goal-creating actions (25). He also finished second in passes into the penalty area and in distance covered in progressive runs.

His move to Manchester City

In July 2024, he signed for Manchester City and won a trophy in his very first appearance for the club: the 2024 Community Shield, secured against local rivals Manchester United.

Later that year, Savinho was nominated for the Kopa Trophy.

This season, the young Brazilian also won two domestic cups with the club, but his playing time has decreased significantly over the course of the year. Fierce competition on the wings, with players such as Antoine Semenyo, Jérémy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden, has ultimately limited his opportunities.

Last summer, Savinho even turned down an offer from Tottenham Hotspur to stay at City. Now, however, with his playing time dwindling and manager Pep Guardiola’s departure, the Brazilian has agreed to a move to the capital.

Tottenham’s interest

In total, Savinho has scored seven goals and provided 13 assists in 84 appearances for City. At Tottenham, manager Roberto De Zerbi hopes to rely on his pace, dribbling ability and creativity for the coming season.

The London club is also said to be keeping an eye on another Manchester City forward: the 27-year-old Egyptian Omar Marmoush. Signed by City in 2025, he has also seen little playing time, largely due to Erling Haaland leading the line.

The interest in both players underlines Tottenham’s ambition in this transfer window. The club has already secured the signings of players such as the Italian Sandro Tonali, the Portuguese Mateus Fernandes, the Argentine Marcos Senesi and the Dutchman Jan Paul van Hecke, but remains on the hunt for further reinforcements.

As for City, a possible departure of Savinho and Marmoush would be yet another chapter in a summer marked by major changes. Guardiola stepped down to make way for new manager Enzo Maresca, whilst the experienced Rodri also bid farewell to the club after winning the World Cup with Spain.

Despite the high-profile arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, other players have also left City this summer in search of new challenges, such as English goalkeeper James Trafford, who moved to Leeds United, and Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who moved to Al-Qadsiah.

A new challenge in London

The desire for more playing time – one of the main reasons Savinho is moving to Spurs – also comes with a major challenge. After all, the club is coming off one of its most disappointing seasons, narrowly avoiding relegation by just two points and finishing 17th in the Premier League for the second year running. Early elimination from all other competitions has also meant the team will miss out on UEFA competitions next season.

Even so, Savinho has never shied away from a challenge and is determined to show why he is still regarded as one of the most promising young players in the world.

The Brazilians at Tottenham

At Tottenham, he will also find two compatriots who can help him feel at home: 29-year-old forward Richarlison and 20-year-old full-back Souza.

Like them, the Brazilian hopes to follow in the footsteps of other compatriots who have won the hearts of the London club’s supporters. The prime example is 34-year-old Lucas Moura, who has scored 39 goals in 221 appearances for the ‘Spurs’ and was a key figure in the campaign that saw the team reach a historic Champions League final in 2019.

Savinho’s potential replacement

Meanwhile, Manchester City are reportedly already on the lookout for a new Brazilian winger to fill the void left by Savinho. The club are said to have opened talks with Palmeiras regarding 22-year-old Allan, who has won five titles with the club’s youth teams.

It is not yet clear whether the creative midfielder will move to the Premier League during this transfer window. Palmeiras have already turned down a recent bid from Aston Villa and have made it clear that they will only let him go if they receive an offer they consider impossible to refuse.

Savinho’s stats for Manchester City:

  • Appearances: 84

  • Goals: 7

  • Assists: 13

  • Titles: 3