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Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca says Savinho has wanted to leave the club “since day one” of his tenure amid interest from Tottenham.

Spurs have agreed an £85m deal for the Brazilian winger and Maresca admitted it is difficult to convince a player to stay once they have decided they want a new challenge.

“It’s quite clear that when players want to leave, for any reason, it’s complicated to convince them to stay, to change themselves,” Maresca said.

“It happened with Rodri, the same thing is happening with Savinho. Since day one, he is asking me to leave, so now we are waiting.

“It’s complicated when the players are thinking they want a new challenge or want to change. They want to go back to Spain or to play more minutes.

“It’s complicated for them to stay.”

Maresca also suggested a lack of regular playing time has been a factor behind several players wanting to leave City.

Omar Marmoush is also a Spurs target, while Nico Gonzalez is of interest to Newcastle.

“Apart from Rodri, they all have one thing in common, that they didn’t play a lot,” he said.

“They all work every day because they want to play and when they don’t play, probably they prefer to leave.

“The ones you mention, apart from Rodri, the rest are all players for different reasons that didn’t play a lot.”

Marmoush has not asked to leave yet

Maresca insists Marmoush’s situation is different to Savinho’s, however, with the City boss insisting the Egyptian has not yet asked to leave.

“Omar is still here, he’s still with us, it’s a different situation than Savinho, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

“It’s always complicated when players leave and a player has to arrive. But we’ll see if Omar stays or what happens.

“For sure, we’re going to have more options if players leave. If they go out, some have to arrive.

“Savinho asked since day one to leave and Omar didn’t ask to leave since day one.

Asked whether Marmoush had now asked to leave, he added: “Not yet.”

Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi says it was “a good day” after Tottenham comfortably defeated Hoffenheim 3-0.

A first half opener from Richarlison was added to by a second half double from Mikey Moore as Spurs brushed aside their Bundesliga opponents.

New signings Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Sandro Tonali all got to feature at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Robertson key to the north Londoners opening goal.

De Zerbi was pleased with the fight shown by his side after a first half where the visitors threatened.

“It was a good performance,” De Zerbi said. “A good day because we needed to increase and to improve the physical condition. For that, we decided to play 75 minutes for every player and tomorrow we play again with the players who didn’t play today.

“We suffered in the first half without the ball because the style of Hoffenheim is clear, it’s different, it’s a particular style, they move, make a lot of rotation. In the second half, we defended better and with the ball, I think we played well, built up well, created many chances.

“It was a challenge playing against a team who plays with this style of play. When you prepare the game, you have the reference, the player in the specific position. If the opponent moves, they go around the pitch, they put many players over the line of the ball.

“If you regain the ball, you can go to score because in the first half, we had Mathys Tel, Lucas Bergvall, Conor Gallagher. In the second half, we had two chances and we could score. It was a good day.”

Tottenham face the same opponent in a behind closed doors friendly at their training ground on Sunday.

West Ham United have completed the signing of Manor Solomon from Tottenham Hotspur.

The 27-year-old winger has signed an initial three-year contract with the Hammers, with the option of a further year, for a fee believed to be around the £7m mark.

“I’m really happy to be here, happy to be a Hammer, and I can’t wait to get started,” Solomon said.

“I know West Ham United has a rich history both in the Premier League and in Europe. It’s a Club that won a European trophy just three years ago, and I think this is where the Club should be, and I’m here to help the Club and to be where it belongs.

“Of course, our first task is to get promoted, to go back to the Premier League. I really like all the ideas and everything they have presented for me.

“I’ll try to give my all in the first season and then in the seasons ahead. I want to be here for a long time and I want to make the fans really happy.”

West Ham continue to try to bring in more additions, including more attacking signings.

The Hammers are trying to agree a deal for AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott but have so far been knocked back in their attempts to bring in the 24-year-old.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi says he will not rush Dejan Kulusevski back – but is hopeful he will return to action soon.

The Sweden international has not played for Tottenham since May 2025 because of a knee injury.

He is still yet to return to action, but De Zerbi has backed the 26-year-old to play an important part for his team when he does come back.

“Kulusevski fit and right, he’s one of the best players we have in the squad,” the Spurs boss said.

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“I wouldn’t like to put too much pressure on him to accelerate the process of rehab but I hope he can be available as early as possible.”

Spurs continue to try and add to their attack in the transfer window, meanwhile, with several players among their targets.

Roberto De Zerbi says Richarlison’s future at Tottenham is still uncertain.

The Brazilian scored a late winner for Spurs in a 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Chelsea.

But with just a year left on the 29-year-old’s contract, he could walk away for free next summer.

De Zerbi is also keen on adding more attacking signings before the window shuts, but the Spurs boss has backed Richarlison to be an important player if he stays at the club.

“I don’t know, because I like him as a player, as a guy, it’s unbelievable the attitude and behaviour, but at the end we have to respect what he wants to do,” De Zerbi said on his future.

“And we know, every one of us knows what he wants to do, but for me he’s still an important player, because it’s not so easy to find another striker like Richarlison, because Richarlison scores goals and he knows the way.

“The new striker, we don’t know. The other striker, we don’t know. He scored 12 goals last season, not through luck, because he feels the way to score.”

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Quizzed further on whether Richarlison actually wants to leave, De Zerbi said: “I don’t know, I didn’t understand well, because sometimes he said to stay, sometimes he leaves. We have to speak anyway, there is not any problem, he’s a lovely guy.

“All of us love him, the team-mates, the club, the staff, because he works hard every day, seriously every day.”

German clubs Hamburg and FC Koln, and Championship side Middlesbrough, are among those trying to sign Tottenham youngster Mikey Moore on loan, Hayters understands.

The 18-year-old spent last season on loan at Scottish side Rangers, playing 47 times in all competitions and scoring seven goals.

Spurs are keen on signing at least two more forwards this summer, with a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho being discussed, which would pave the way for Moore to head out on loan again.

A move abroad is being favoured at this stage, Hayters also understands, with Hamburg and Koln among those competing for his signature.

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Spurs have benefitted by sending players on loan to Hamburg previously, with former defender Luka Vuskovic enjoying a successful loan spell at the club last season, before he was sold to Brighton earlier this summer for a potential £50m.

Asked about Moore’s future after Spurs’ pre-season win over Auckland, boss Roberto De Zerbi said: “We have to see. We have to analyse the last part of the transfer market, because we try to bring wingers, and then we speak with him, with his agent, with the club, to find the best solution for everyone.”

Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi has given an update on the injuries suffered by midfield duo James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes during pre-season.

After suffering an ACL injury in pre-season last year, Maddison played just a handful of minutes for Spurs at the end of the last campaign. The Englishman is still battling to return to full fitness after his lengthy absence.

“James has a small problem,” revealed De Zerbi. “Like I said, I don’t want to take any risks, especially in this part of the season.

“Especially for James, because he suffered a long injury last season.”

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De Zerbi also says he is being cautious with summer signing Matheus Fernandes after he picked up an issue.

“It’s important for us, but for him (Maddison) and for Mateus Fernandes, the same,” he said.

“It’s not the right moment to take risk. We’ll work again when we’re back in London.”

Roberto De Zerbi has given an update on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans after claiming they have a transfer ‘bomba’ in the works.

Spurs have already been busy this summer, spending big to bring in Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson.

However, De Zerbi is still expecting more incomings. “I think two maybe three more, we have to see,” revealed the Italian.

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Tottenham have already spent a club record £237 million in this summer’s transfer window. Nevertheless, yesterday De Zerbi teased a “bomba” signing that is still to come.

“Yes, but bomba in Italian is different from bomba in English,” the Spurs boss clarified. “You can write what you want, no problem, no pressure.

“But I said we have to complete the transfer market. I think we have some other players to complete the squad.

“The players that will be here in the next days are for me, top players. I don’t know if the expectations are bigger than two days ago, but we have to go forward and to think of the good of the team of the club, of the squad.

“But in Italian it’s a different word. Tonali, Fernandes, Senesi, Robertson are bomba. Top players for us.”

Roberto De Zerbi says he is hopeful of another “bomba” signing at Spurs this summer.

The club have already been active in the transfer market, splashing the cash to bring in Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes, along with the free transfer signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.

But the Tottenham boss says he is only “60% done” in the transfer market.

“In the transfer market when I want one player I become like a shark,” De Zerbi joked. “No chance to say no.

“The transfer market, it’s not finished for sure, but we completed 60 per cent of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba.”

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Asked if that signing was close, he replied: “I hope, but it’s not finished for sure.”

Several exits at Spurs are also expected before the transfer window shuts, however, with Guglielmo Vicario, Lucas Bergvall and Cristian Romero all keen to move on.

“At the beginning of my time, in April, I had, I don’t know, one million individual meetings, and they told me their idea,” he said when asked about players wanting to depart.

“I said: Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave. If you don’t help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me.

“If you want to leave, speak with Vinai and Johan, because I don’t manage the price of the sale. I can speak with Vinai and Johan about the best strategy to do, but I don’t decide £30m, £40m. That’s not my position, and I don’t want to change my position. It’s tough enough to be a coach, and I want to stay as a coach.”

On Romero specifially, De Zerbi said: “After the semi-final [against England] we text a message, but I never called him to convince him to stay. I respected what he told me. Like for Vicario, like for every player.”

“Romero as a player is one of the best centre-backs in the world, but at the end I said I want to respect the will of the players.”

The WSL have announced the full list of fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign.

The opening weekend includes several eye-catching clashes, starting with London City Lionesses taking on Manchester United.

The full list of opening weekend fixtures

ChannelDayDateHomeAwayTimeSky SportsFriday4th SeptLondon City LionessesManchester United19.00BBC OneSunday5th SeptChelseaAston Villa12.30Sky SportsSunday6th SeptBrighton & Hove AlbionArsenal12.00Sky SportsSunday6th SeptTottenham HotspurWest Ham United12.00Sky SportsSunday6th SeptCharlton AthleticLiverpool14.00Sky SportsSunday6th SeptCrystal PalaceEverton14.00Sky SportsSunday6th SeptManchester CityBirmingham City14.30

Important dates

Here are some of the important dates to note for the upcoming campaign…

Other key dates for the season are as follows:

Opening Weekend (BWSL and BWSL2): Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September

Subway Players Cup League Phase Fixtures: September through to December (See below for specific dates)

Winter Break (BWSL and BWSL2): Monday 21 December until Saturday 3 January

Subway Players Cup Quarter Finals: Wednesday 13/Thursday 14 January 2027

Subway Players Cup Semi-Finals: Wednesday 10/Thursday 11 February 2027

Subway Players Cup Final: Saturday 13/Sunday 14 March 2027

BWSL2 Final Weekend: Saturday 8/Sunday 9 May 2027

BWSL Final Weekend: Saturday 22/Sunday 23 May 2027

BWSL2 Play-Off pre-qualifying match: Saturday 22/Sunday 23 May 2027

The Play-Off, Saturday 29/Sunday 30 May 2027

The Play-Off, Saturday 29/Sunday 30 May 2027

Arsenal’s fixtures

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SEPTEMBER

Sun 6 (12pm) Brighton & Hove Albion (A)

Sun 13 (2.45pm) Crystal Palace (H)

Sat 19 (5.30pm) Manchester United (H)

Sun 27 (4.30pm) Chelsea (A)

OCTOBER

Sat 3/Sun 4 Manchester City (A)

Sat 17/Sun 18 Birmingham City (H)

Sat 24/Sun 25 Tottenham Hotspur (A)

NOVEMBER

Saturday 31 October/Sun 1 Aston Villa (H)

Sat 7/Sun 8 Liverpool (A)

Sat 14/Sun 15 London City Lionesses (H)

Sat 21/Sun 22 West Ham United (H)

DECEMBER

Sat 12/Sun 13 Everton (A)

Sat 19/Sun 20 Charlton Athletic (A)

JANUARY

Sat 9/Sun 10 Brighton & Hove Albion (H)

Wed 20/Thu 21 Liverpool (H)

Sat 23/Sun 24 London City Lionesses (A)

Sat 30/Sun 31 Manchester City (H)

FEBRUARY

Sat 6/Sun 7 Birmingham City (A)

Sat 13/Sun 14 Crystal Palace (A)

MARCH

Sat 13/Sun 14 Tottenham Hotspur (H)

Wed 17 Aston Villa (A)

Sat 27/Sun 28 Chelsea (H)

APRIL

Sat 3/Sun 4 Everton (H)

MAY

Sat 1/Sun 2 West Ham United (A)

Sat 8/Sun 9 Manchester United (A)

Fri 21 – Sun 23 (TBC) Charlton Athletic (H)

Chelsea’s fixtures

Man City’s fixtures

Sunday 6 September: Birmingham City (H)

Sunday 13 September: Aston Villa (A)

Friday 18 September: Liverpool (H)

Saturday 26 September: Charlton Athletic (A)

Sunday 4 October: Arsenal (H) – Etihad Stadium

Sunday 18 October: Brighton & Hove Albion (H)

Sunday 25 October: Manchester United (A)

Sunday 1 November: London City Lionesses (A)

Saturday 7 November: West Ham United (H)

Saturday 14 November: Chelsea (A)

Sunday 22 November: Tottenham Hotspur (H)

Sunday 13 December: Crystal Palace (A)

Sunday 20 December: Everton (H)

Sunday 10 January: Chelsea (H)

Wednesday 20 January: Birmingham City (A)

Sunday 24 January: Charlton Athletic (H)

Saturday 30 January: Arsenal (A)

Sunday 7 February: West Ham United (A)

Sunday 14 February: Manchester United (H) – Etihad Stadium

Sunday 14 March: Aston Villa (H)

Wednesday 17 March: Tottenham Hotspur (A)

Saturday 27 March: Crystal Palace (H)

Sunday 4 April: Brighton & Hove Albion (A)

Friday 30 April: Everton (A)

Sunday 9 May: London City Lionesses (H)

Man Utd’s fixtures

*Fixture dates and times will be confirmed in due course.

Spurs’ fixtures

September, 2026

Sun Sep 6 – West Ham United H – 12noon

Sun Sep 13 – Liverpool A – 2pm

Sun Sep 20 – Crystal Palace A – 2pm

Sun Sep 27 – Aston Villa H – 2pm

October, 2026

Sun Oct 4 – London City Lionesses H – 12noon

Sun Oct 18 – Chelsea A – 2pm

Sun Oct 25 – Arsenal H – 2pm

November, 2026

Sun Nov 1 – Birmingham City A – 2pm

Sun Nov 8 – Brighton & Hove Albion H – 2pm

Sun Nov 15 – Everton H – 2pm

Sun Nov 22 – Manchester City A – 2pm

December, 2026

Sun Dec 13 – Charlton Athletic H – 2pm

Sun Dec 20 – Manchester United A – 1pm

January, 2027

Sun Jan 10 – Liverpool H – 2pm

Sun Jan 17 – Women’s FA Cup Fourth Round

Wed Jan 20 – Brighton & Hove Albion A – 7.45pm

Sun Jan 24 – Aston Villa A – 2pm

Sun Jan 31 – Chelsea H – 2pm

February, 2027

Sun Feb 7 – Manchester United H – 2pm

Sun Feb 14 – Everton A – 2pm

Sun Feb 21 – Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round

March, 2027

Sat Mar 13 – Arsenal A – 5.30pm

Wed Mar 17 – Manchester City H – 7.30pm

Sun Mar 21 – Women’s FA Cup Quarter-Final

Sun Mar 28 – West Ham United A – 2pm

April, 2027

Sun Apr 4 – Crystal Palace H – 2pm

Sun Apr 11 – Women’s FA Cup Semi-Final

May, 2027

Sun May 2 – London City Lionesses A – 2pm

Sun May 9 – Charlton Athletic A – 2pm

Sun May 16 – Women’s FA Cup Final