Savinho to Tottenham is “the wrong sale” for Man City as Pep Guardiola's side urged to reject “frustrating” €50m “nonsense”

Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole that it would be “wrong” for Pep Guardiola’s side to sell Savinho to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Recent reports have emerged claiming that Spurs are in discussions with the Citizens over a permanent transfer for the 21-year-old winger, who would be open to the possibility of moving to North London.

Thomas Frank’s side are said to have sent a €50m (£43.3m) proposal to Man City, but they want more money and would only be open to selling the Brazil international if their valuation is met.

Savinho only joined Man City last summer from sister club Troyes for an initial £21m following a successful loan spell at Girona, and he is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2029.

City’s No.26 has only scored three goals in 48 appearances for Guardiola’s side in all competitions, but he has shown several glimpses of his talent on the flanks and finished last season as the club’s top assister in the Premier League (eight).

Man City are currently exploring ways to increase their homegrown quota and reduce the age of their squad ahead of the new season, with Guardiola having made it clear that his first-team squad needs to be cut this summer, but McInerney does not believe that Savinho should be the one sacrificed.

While Jack Grealish (29) has agreed to join Everton on loan, the likes of Ilkay Gundogan (34), Stefan Ortega (32), Mateo Kovacic, John Stones (both 31), Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake (both 30) and Kalvin Phillips (29) have all been tipped to leave, but an exit for any of these players is far from close at this stage.

Man City urged to keep Savinho despite Tottenham transfer rumours

Speaking to Sports Mole, McInerney said: “The top-line feeling away from all the narratives around it is I don't want Savinho to go, because I think he's a very good footballer who has incredible potential and is going to get better.

“Ultimately, we've paid around £30m for him. He joined in the worst City side in a decade, if not more. We were a shambles last season at times. He started the season really well - context is important here - and he ended the season with the most assists at Manchester City.

“[Eight assists in the Premier League is] not a lot, but in a side that was dysfunctional - which is a polite way to put it - for a large part of the season, as a 20-year-old in an ever-changing Man City side with a lack of movement around him, a lack of pace, injuries, confidence issues, he came into a City side that was nowhere near the level that other wingers have had the pleasure to come into over the years, and I still think he showed the talent that he's got.

“There were issues with his finishing. His finishing was poor, bad at times, but still it's very obvious that this man can create chances, be it on the left whipping those crosses into [Erling] Haaland, or on the right cutting in.

“At the moment, we're staring down at this rebuild. I understand there's an element of sleeping in the bed that you made, but City have to move on some players because of the homegrown issues and the spots in the squad just aren't infinite.

“Unfortunately, there's no-one coming in for some of these older players that they want to move on. It's just hard to move them on. I understand that argument and I've sort of accepted that to an extent, but this for me personally feels like the straw that broke the camel's back. It's just become frustrating.

Savinho should not be Man City’s “fall guy” amid homegrown quota issues

“I understand the arguments around [Claudio] Echeverri, [Sverre] Nypan, Vitor Reis going on loan, even [James] McAtee moving on (permanently) because he wants to get regular football... but when it gets to Savinho, if City could hand on heart say that they weren't thinking about the homegrown squad issues when sanctioning this potential sale, then fair enough.

“But you can just tell they're thinking we do need a place in the squad and when it's essentially Savinho who's the fall guy on that to an extent, that's where it gets frustrating for me personally, because he shouldn't be. He should be near the bottom of the list because of his age, his profile, his ability.”

McInerney added: “I understand the frustration (with Savinho lacking a clinical touch in front of goal) if he was a £60m to £70m player, but he signed for £30m and people are comparing him to [Riyad] Mahrez and so on.

“Mahrez was legitimately playing in the fourth tier of French football around the same age, so we need to remember just how young Savinho is, what he's done, the goals that he scored [on loan at Girona] and the fact that he was the most consistent creator last season in terms of assists.

“He is a really talented footballer who's honest, works really hard, has loads of ability, he's got a wicked left foot and will get better and better and better."

McInerney has urged Man City to avoid selling Savinho for a fee below £60m and has suggested that he is not entirely sure whether Oscar Bobb is ready for a full season as Man City’s first-choice right-wing option.

“I know the money might end up being decent, but the rumoured fee just isn’t good enough in my opinion. €50m or £43m - I’m sorry, it's nonsense,” said McInerney. “[Anthony] Elanga and [Noni] Madueke have gone for more than that (to Newcastle and Arsenal respectively this summer).

Man City told to demand at least £60m from Spurs for Savinho

“Savinho is a Brazil international. Brazilian wingers carry a premium, especially when they're coming from City and they start regularly and get the most assists from Man City.

“We should be asking for a minimum of £60m. A minimum. (For £43m), I think it'd be only £10m to £15m profit on him and he's an established Premier League player. I just don't buy it at all.”

He continued: “I think we'll lean on Oscar Bobb (if Savinho is sold). Oscar Bobb is a phenomenally gifted young player, I really rate him, but he's not had a full season yet playing for the first team. What if the injury crisis kicks on again and City play [Rayan] Cherki (on the right)?

“We’re going to need Savinho unless we replace him, which I don't think we will personally. I'm quite frustrated by it because he's a very good player and I think it's just the wrong sale. We haven't moved on the players that have not got a future here past 12 months and we [instead] could sell a guy who's 21, who was our best creator last season.

“I just don't see the logic in this. It feels a bit short-sighted for me. I think he will get better and I think he's the kind of player that I want City to build forwards with. It's frustrating.”

Having said all that, McInerney reluctantly feels that Savinho could join Spurs for the right price if the player expresses a firm interest to leave Man City.

“Guardiola has very much [said to his players over the years] if you want to go, you can go,” he added. “As much as I think he rates Savinho, I don't think he's his favourite player. I think if Savinho's shown interest, he solves an issue and there's decent money coming in, I see why City may tentatively assess a bid.”