Tottenham Hotspur need to improve across the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, 13th in the Premier League after the midpoint and yet to kindle a sense of culture and identity under Thomas Frank.
It's important to remember that the Danish tactician, who worked wonders in west London with Brentford, has had a mountain to climb down N17, with Spurs slumping to a 17th-place league finish with Ange Postecoglou last year, albeit winning the Europa League too.
But Frank hasn't helped himself, unable to get an attacking tune out of his players. That needs to change this month, and the £35m sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace has been a first step toward that.
Spurs lining up Brennan Johnson replacement
It was Johnson who bundled in the winning goal against Manchester United in Bilbao to end so many years of silverware-searching. That was the Welshman's 18th of the season, but he's fallen flat since the summer.
Johnson has a natural goal sense, but his overall play simply hasn't been good enough, and that's why Frank has allowed him to go.
But a replacement is now needed.
According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are growing increasingly confident that they might be able to act on their long-standing interest in Manchester City winger Savinho, whose future at the Etihad is in jeopardy amid Pep Guardiola's bid to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
Tottenham enquired last summer, but to no avail. Now, a deal could be struck, but for a rather hefty £63m fee.
Why Savinho could be a star at Spurs
In 2024, Manchester City signed Savinho from sister club Troyes for about £31m, and he made quite a positive impression throughout his debut campaign in England, providing energy and pace and creative impetus.
He's tapered away from that exciting level this season, but Savinho has been used sporadically, only starting six times in the Premier League.
Even so, the 21-year-old still ranks among the top 13% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 1% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, underscoring his potential as one of the most athletic wide forwards in the business.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
Hailed for his "electric turn of pace" by City-focused content creator Steve McInerney, Savinho has all he needs to become a standout winger for Tottenham, with his specific skillset perhaps even comparable to Gareth Bale back in the retired Welshman's heyday.
Bale needs no introduction. One of the finest players of his generation, the Wales legend left Spurs for Real Madrid in a world record deal back in 2013, returning for a nostalgic stint in 2020/21.
Savinho has a long way to go before he can be considered in the same breath, but he's immensely talented and unquestionably one of the fleetest wingers in the game, sharing qualities with the Tottenham icon in that regard.
See, for example, how he ranks up against Johnson over the past year - it's clear to see that he offers far more.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has even singled the Brazilian winger out for being able to zip past opponents and complete the "type of Gareth Bale" finishes that drew such acclaim throughout his career.
Savinho isn't there yet, but he notched eight assists from just 21 Premier League starts in his first year, and it's worth remembering that Bale took some time to get going after his move from Southampton way back when.
If Tottenham succeed in landing and then harnessing such a player, they might just restore the kind of attacking intent craved and not seen for so many years.