Tottenham Advances in Marmoush Talks as Savinho Deal Finalizes
Tottenham’s summer rebuild is accelerating – and it is not stopping with Savinho.
After committing a combined £185m on midfield pair Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, Roberto de Zerbi has turned his attention to the front line. The club’s hierarchy are now deep in negotiations for Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, with talks described as “progressing positively”.
Marmoush, an Egypt international and a £59m signing for City from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2025, slipped down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order last season. That lack of minutes has opened the door for Spurs, who see the 25-year-old as a powerful, versatile option across the front three.
The move comes as Tottenham close in on their headline attacking signing. They have agreed a £75m fee with Manchester City for Brazil winger Savinho, with a further £10m in potential add-ons. The 22-year-old is set for a medical before signing a long-term deal in north London.
Spurs tried to prise Savinho away from the Etihad last summer but were rebuffed. The Brazilian chose to stay and fight for his place, only to be restricted to seven Premier League starts under Guardiola. Now, with De Zerbi intent on injecting pace and directness into his wide areas, Tottenham have finally got their man.
The question is how far they can stretch the budget from here. Spurs retain an interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, but there are doubts over whether they can realistically finance a move for the Netherlands attacker on top of Savinho and a potential Marmoush deal. Any serious push for Gakpo would require careful juggling of fees and outgoings.
Around the league, the transfer market is crackling into life ahead of the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Arsenal are closing in on defensive reinforcement, with Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa undergoing a medical on Thursday ahead of a move worth more than £50m. Villa, already planning for his departure, have seen an offer of around £18m plus add-ons rejected by Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Harwood-Bellis, who initially joined Southampton on loan in 2023 before making the move permanent, has one England cap – earned in a 2024 Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland. Southampton, who finished fourth in the Championship last season before the Spygate scandal wrecked their play-off hopes, are holding out for about £25m.
On Merseyside, Liverpool have had a £50m bid turned down by Brighton for winger Yankuba Minteh. The 22-year-old Gambia international, who joined the Seagulls from Newcastle for £30m in 2024, has produced 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances and primarily operates off the right. He is currently recovering from a leg injury picked up in a friendly against Roma earlier this month.
With Mohamed Salah gone, strengthening the wide attacking positions is the clear priority for Reds boss Andoni Iraola. Liverpool are expected to keep testing the market, with Minteh one of several options under consideration.
There has also been movement out of Manchester City beyond Savinho. Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has completed a £52m switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah, while Inter Milan have struck a £30m agreement with Liverpool for England midfielder Curtis Jones.
All of this unfolds on the eve of a new Premier League season. Arsenal, the defending champions, open at home to newly promoted Coventry tonight, as top-flight football returns and the countdown to kick-off collides with a frantic final stretch in the transfer window.
Tottenham have made their statement with Savinho. If Marmoush follows – and if they can somehow find room for Gakpo – De Zerbi’s attack could look unrecognisable by the time the season truly settles into rhythm.
