Tottenham were dealt a hammer blow on Wednesday evening, after Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze pulled a seismic Spurs transfer U-turn.
Eze was all set to join Thomas Frank, agreeing personal terms, and Tottenham also struck a deal in principle with Palace.
It seemed a matter of when, not if, Eze would become Spurs’ third major signing of the window after Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, but alas, Arsenal swooped in dramatically to break Daniel Levy’s heart.
After midweek talks, Arsenal immediately signed a replacement for the injured Kai Havertz by hijacking Tottenham’s once-imminent deal for the England international, with Frank and Levy now forced to re-enter the market for a new playmaker once again.
This isn’t the first transfer humiliation Spurs have suffered this window, either, with Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to N17 also falling through earlier this summer after Nottingham Forest blocked the deal, threatened legal action and convinced the 25-year-old to pen a new deal.
It is getting slightly embarrassing from Levy’s perspective, and Tottenham need to react strongly amid Frank’s glaring need for a new number 10 and a stand-in for James Maddison, who’ll miss most of 2025/2026 after rupturing his ACL.
A host of attacking midfielders are being linked with moves to north London in the aftermath of their Eze loss, including the likes of Como starlet Nico Paz, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.
It is worth noting that Tottenham are believed to be very interested in Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott, so a potential move could still be on the cards after Eze chose Arsenal ahead of Spurs, but RB Leipzig are reportedly preparing a bid, so Levy will have to act quickly.
Tottenham ready £69m offer for Savinho with London talks ongoing
Some better news for the Lilywhites comes from Globo Esporte and journalist Cahê Mota.
According to their information, in response to losing Eze, Tottenham intend to seriously push for Man City winger Savinho, and are vowing to “spare no effort” behind-the-scenes.
They could go all the way to deadline day if necessary, and despite City’s resistance so far, Tottenham are believed to be readying a £69 million bid for Savinho to test their resolve.
The 21-year-old’s representatives are also in London right now, attempting to mediate negotiations between the Sky Blues and Spurs, with Savinho keen on a move down south for more game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Savinho can actually play in the number 10 role, as he did on two occasions for Pep Guardiola last season. He ended 24/25 with 13 assists in all competitions, with Guardiola praising his work rate and “incredible” attacking ability.
“He has an incredible ability and quality he’s proven in that period,” said Guardiola.
“He arrived in the six months when the team isn’t in the best moment than maybe he expected, compared with the past. He makes one action fine, second fine, third miss it, four mistake, five mistake, the sixth try again and try again and try again. And until the end he tries.
“Defensively he’s not incredible in the one v one, but his work rate is impressive and he’s so aggressive on both sides.
“He’s had a lot of chances but the moment you score one or two, you’ll score a lot. I’m really pleased for him for the game, the goal, the assist for Erling. On the left he can make those crosses, the game he played was really good.”
The Brazil international was also a key member of Michel’s Girona side that surprised everyone by challenging for a La Liga title in 2023/2024.