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Tottenham have committed £319 million towards seven signings this summer, with Savinho being the latest high-profile arrival from Manchester City for an initial £75m, plus £10m in add-ons.

Speaking at his press conference on Tuesday, De Zerbi expressed his excitement about the Brazilian winger but highlighted a specific area for development. The Tottenham boss wants the forward to add more goals to his impressive dribbling skills.

"If you analyse the other best wingers in the world, many of them, they score 10-15 goals per season," De Zerbi explained. "He has the qualities, maybe his habits. He has to change habits because he has to be focused on the assists, the one-vs-one dribbling and also to score."

Securing the winger was a lengthy process that stretched into the final week of August. De Zerbi admitted he is naturally impatient but understood the necessity of waiting for elite talent to arrive.

When asked about the lengthy delay in negotiations, he said: "I am not patient. I have no patience, but I have to expect, because we started the negotiation for Savio one week or three days after the Everton game. And for many reasons we arrived in the last week of August to close Savio, but I think you can close other players, but if you want the highest level, the highest quality of the players, it's right also to wait something, more than a normal player."

As Tottenham prepare for their Carabao Cup clash against Charlton on Wednesday night, De Zerbi provided a mixed squad update. Maddison will miss the fixture after suffering a small shoulder injury, while Mohammed Kudus remains unavailable.

However, Dominic Solanke is ready to start, providing a boost to the attack following Saturday's disappointing Premier League defeat to Brentford. Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro will be named on the bench, alongside academy prospect Luca Williams-Barnett. De Zerbi emphasised his belief in the youth system, noting that academy players deserve opportunities when they earn them.

Tottenham must quickly bounce back from their poor performance against Brentford when they face Charlton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. De Zerbi expects a strong response from his squad in the Carabao Cup, a competition he values as highly as the league. Building winning habits now will be crucial as the club look to integrate their new signings and establish a cohesive identity for the season ahead.

Manchester City and Spurs both announced the deal on Tuesday morning. Savinho, who had fallen out of favour at City, moves for a hefty fee: according to Sky, Tottenham will pay around €87.5 million up front to Manchester, with possible bonus payments worth around €11 million. City could therefore receive a total of around €98.5 million for Savinho.

In north London, the Brazilian has signed a five-year contract until 2031, with the option of a further year. For City, Savinho is the club's new record sale, surpassing Julian Alvarez, who joined Atletico Madrid in 2024 for €75 million. In Tottenham's history, Savinho is the third most expensive signing, with the entire top three coming from this summer: the side that nearly went down last season paid €99 million to West Ham United for Mateus Fernandes, while €108 million went to Newcastle United for record holder Sandro Tonali. Altogether, the London club have now spent more than €350 million on new players in the current transfer window, which stays open until the beginning of September, while other big-name players such as Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi arrived on free transfers.

"It took a while, but I am happy to be here now," Savinho said of his move. Tottenham had already been pushing to sign him last summer, but the €70 million fee offered at the time was too low for City and the transfer collapsed. At the beginning of October 2025, Savinho then surprisingly extended his contract at City by a further two years until 2031.

Savinho delighted by mega move to Tottenham

Signed from ESTAC Troyes in France in 2024 for €25 million, Savinho had just found his rhythm again after injury problems at that point. Under former coach Pep Guardiola, though, he ultimately had to settle for a role off the bench for most of last season. Guardiola's successor Enzo Maresca was no longer necessarily planning with Savinho, who made 84 appearances for City across his two years in Manchester, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists.

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According to Savinho, Spurs coach Roberto De Zerbi, who took over at the end of March, played an important part in the delayed move to Tottenham. "This is a wonderful opportunity at a great club with one of the best coaches in the world," stressed the 22-year-old, who prefers to play on either flank. "As soon as I had spoken to the coach, I knew that I had to come here. He wants to help me reach the highest possible level, and I believe that together we can do that."

Xavi Simons announces Savinho transfer

With Xavi Simons, who joined Tottenham from RB Leipzig in 2025, Savinho has a familiar face to help him settle in London. The two have known each other since the 2022/23 season, when they played together at PSV Eindhoven, and so it was Simons, who is still facing a long spell out with a cruciate ligament rupture, who got to announce Savinho's signing on Spurs' social media channels.

"Of course I had to do it. In fact, I insisted on it," said the Dutchman. "Welcome to Spurs, bro. I'm very happy that you're here now. You're going to love it. The fans have been so good to me since I came here. And I know they will love you too as soon as they see you play. I am working hard every day to come back. And I can't wait to be back on the pitch with you soon."

Omar Marmoush also looks likely to give Savinho another familiar face in his new surroundings. The Egyptian also appears to be on the verge of leaving Manchester City for Tottenham, although initially only on loan. According to Fabrizio Romano, a purchase option would then come into effect next year, which could become an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. In that case, Spurs would have to pay City €58.5 million for Marmoush.

The race for Gakpo has taken a dramatic turn in the final days of the summer window, with Manchester City emerging as serious contenders for the Dutchman’s signature. While Tottenham Hotspur have long been linked with the 27-year-old, the reigning Premier League champions have now made their move to explore a potential deal.

As reported by Soccernews.nl, Roberto De Zerbi is eager to add the versatile forward to his attacking ranks, viewing him as a key component for the upcoming campaign.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City made contact with Gakpo’s camp today to signal their intent. While there has not yet been formal contact between the two clubs, the interest is concrete and could lead to an official approach before the deadline.

Despite City's late entry, Tottenham remain firmly in the conversation and appear to have done significant groundwork already. The North London club has been tracking Gakpo for several weeks, identifying him as a "serious option" to upgrade their strike force.

Spurs are currently working on a double raid on Manchester City for Savinho and Omar Marmoush, but those moves haven't cooled their interest in the Liverpool man. In fact, De Zerbi’s side is reportedly preparing to submit a new bid after their initial offer, estimated to be worth around €60m.

The competition between the two clubs is heating up, with indications that personal terms may already be a factor in the negotiations. While Liverpool have maintained a firm stance that they do not wish to sell one of their most important assets, the financial muscle of their rivals could test that resolve. The Dutch winger showed his quality just this past weekend, scoring a brilliant goal in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.

Liverpool officials have been clear about their position regarding the 27-year-old’s future. The club is not actively looking to sell Gakpo and would only consider his departure if a "very attractive" offer is presented. Furthermore, any exit would be strictly contingent on the Reds securing a high-quality replacement before the transfer window slams shut next Tuesday.

The club has been linked with Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh as potential incoming options, but losing a player of Gakpo’s experience and versatility would still represent a significant risk for Andoni iraola’s side as they look to compete on multiple fronts.

The Gakpo saga appears to be part of a larger transfer "merry-go-round" that could define the final hours of the window. If Tottenham complete their deals for Savinho and Marmoush, it would theoretically free up Man City to pursue Gakpo as a direct replacement. This creates a domino effect where the movement of one player triggers a succession of deals across the league.

As the 11pm deadline on Tuesday approaches, the speculation is only expected to intensify. Liverpool fans will be hoping that the club can hold onto their number 18, who remains a vital part of the squad's attacking output.

The race for Gakpo has taken a dramatic turn in the final days of the summer window, with Manchester City emerging as serious contenders for the Dutchman’s signature. While Tottenham Hotspur have long been linked with the 27-year-old, the reigning Premier League champions have now made their move to explore a potential deal.

As reported by Soccernews.nl, Roberto De Zerbi is eager to add the versatile forward to his attacking ranks, viewing him as a key component for the upcoming campaign.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City made contact with Gakpo’s camp today to signal their intent. While there has not yet been formal contact between the two clubs, the interest is concrete and could lead to an official approach before the deadline.

Despite City's late entry, Tottenham remain firmly in the conversation and appear to have done significant groundwork already. The North London club has been tracking Gakpo for several weeks, identifying him as a "serious option" to upgrade their strike force.

Spurs are currently working on a double raid on Manchester City for Savinho and Omar Marmoush, but those moves haven't cooled their interest in the Liverpool man. In fact, De Zerbi’s side is reportedly preparing to submit a new bid after their initial offer, estimated to be worth around €60m.

The competition between the two clubs is heating up, with indications that personal terms may already be a factor in the negotiations. While Liverpool have maintained a firm stance that they do not wish to sell one of their most important assets, the financial muscle of their rivals could test that resolve. The Dutch winger showed his quality just this past weekend, scoring a brilliant goal in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.

Liverpool officials have been clear about their position regarding the 27-year-old’s future. The club is not actively looking to sell Gakpo and would only consider his departure if a "very attractive" offer is presented. Furthermore, any exit would be strictly contingent on the Reds securing a high-quality replacement before the transfer window slams shut next Tuesday.

The club has been linked with Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh as potential incoming options, but losing a player of Gakpo’s experience and versatility would still represent a significant risk for Andoni iraola’s side as they look to compete on multiple fronts.

The Gakpo saga appears to be part of a larger transfer "merry-go-round" that could define the final hours of the window. If Tottenham complete their deals for Savinho and Marmoush, it would theoretically free up Man City to pursue Gakpo as a direct replacement. This creates a domino effect where the movement of one player triggers a succession of deals across the league.

As the 11pm deadline on Tuesday approaches, the speculation is only expected to intensify. Liverpool fans will be hoping that the club can hold onto their number 18, who remains a vital part of the squad's attacking output.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United: Match details

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United will kick-off on 29 August 2026 at 16:30 GMT (12:30 PM EST / 17:30 BST / 18:30 SAST).

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The North London stage: Saturday evening drama at N17

Tottenham Hotspur return home to face Newcastle United on Saturday, August 29, for a high-octane Matchweek 2 Premier League clash. Following contrasting outcomes on opening weekend, Spurs aim to leverage their home atmosphere to secure their first league points of the campaign. For Newcastle, a trip to North London offers a valuable opportunity to build on their strong opening display and test their top-four credentials on the road.

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The Lilywhites seeking immediate response after opening defeat

Tottenham enter Matchweek 2 looking to bounce back following a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on August 22. Early defensive lapses saw Spurs fall behind to first-half goals from Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt before Michael Kayode added a third after the break. Returning home, Spurs will look to tighten their defensive shape and lean on the creative talents of James Maddison and Mathys Tel to break down Newcastle's backline.

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The Magpies' flying start: Drama and resilience in four-goal Liverpool thriller

Newcastle United travel to North London carrying high energy after playing out a dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool at St. James' Park on Sunday, August 23. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Joe Willock restored the lead in the second half. Although a late 99th-minute Dominik Szoboszlai penalty denied Newcastle all three points, the Magpies showed immense physical pressing and counter-attacking bite, qualities they will depend on to unsettle Spurs on Saturday.

Head-to-Head: Tightly contested battles with high goal volume

Matches between Tottenham and Newcastle have consistently produced high-tempo, goal-filled affairs. In their most recent league clash in February 2026, Newcastle claimed a 2-1 victory in London thanks to goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey. With both teams featuring rapid wide players and assertive central midfield units, Saturday's showdown promises fine margins and non-stop momentum.

Team news & squads

Roberto De Zerbi is without six players for this fixture. Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, and Pape Sarr are all listed as injured, with no suspensions affecting the squad. No probable lineup has been confirmed yet, and further updates are expected closer to kick-off.

Matthias Jaissle has a shorter but still notable absentee list for Newcastle. Valentino Livramento and Joelinton are both unavailable through injury. No suspensions are in place for the visitors, and a projected XI will be added when confirmed.

Form

Tottenham's last five matches produced one win, one draw, and three defeats. Their most recent result was a 3-0 loss to Brentford in the Premier League on August 22, a chastening start to the league campaign. Prior to that, Spurs drew 2-2 with Hoffenheim in a friendly before beating the same opposition 3-0 the previous day. Across the five matches, Tottenham scored seven goals and conceded six, with their only competitive result in that run being the defeat to Brentford.

Newcastle's last five matches returned one win, one draw, and three defeats. Their most recent outing ended in a 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool on August 23, a result that came despite leading twice. Before that, Newcastle drew 1-1 with Strasbourg and lost 1-2 to Bayer Leverkusen in pre-season. The Magpies scored seven goals across the five fixtures and conceded eight, with their sole win coming against Valencia.

Head-to-Head Record

The most recent meeting between these clubs came in the Premier League on February 10, 2026, when Newcastle won 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Before that, the sides drew 2-2 at St James' Park in December 2025. Newcastle also beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Carabao Cup in October 2025. Across the last five meetings in all competitions, Newcastle hold a record of two wins, two draws, and one loss, with Tottenham's only victory in that run being a 1-2 win at St James' Park in January 2025.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says City and Spurs now have a verbal agreement in place. Marmoush is set to move to London on an initial loan, with an option to buy next summer that could become an obligation if certain conditions are met. Romano adds that Tottenham would then have to pay City the equivalent of around €58.5 million in 2027 to sign the striker permanently.

Tottenham are also said to have agreed personal terms with Marmoush several days ago. The 27-year-old is reportedly due to travel to London as early as Monday for a medical with his prospective new club.

City appear willing to take a loss on Marmoush, whose contract still runs until 2029. The Premier League runners-up paid Eintracht Frankfurt €75 million for the Egyptian at the start of 2025. Marmoush left SGE midway through the season because he was determined to move to the Premier League.

Omar Marmoush will also face major competition at Tottenham

Marmoush made a bright start in Manchester, quickly becoming a regular and scoring seven goals in 16 Premier League appearances in his first half-season at City. Last season, though, he was used mostly from the bench and, under new head coach Enzo Maresca, Pep Guardiola's successor, the former Frankfurt man's situation has not improved. He then spent the full 90 minutes on the bench in Sunday's 2-1 win over AFC Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

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Savinho could join him at Spurs, with Tottenham also said to have reached an agreement with the Brazilian. They would face serious competition in London too, with Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski all battling for starting spots in attack.

Tottenham are now trying to recover from a completely disastrous previous season under saviour Roberto De Zerbi, who took over at the end of March during the relegation battle. That mission got off to the worst possible start, though, as Spurs were beaten 3-0 away to Brentford on Saturday in their opening match of the new Premier League season.

Tottenham began the new season in the worst possible fashion as they were dismantled 3-0 by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. The defeat served as a sobering reality check for a side that has undergone significant investment over the summer. Despite the result, Tonali was quick to defend his manager and the vision being implemented in North London. The Italian midfielder emphasized that the transformation of the squad is a work in progress that requires patience from the fanbase and the board alike.

"He is giving us a lot—not just me, but all the players. He knows it will be a long process, but he’s 100% positive. He loves us and is recreating the soul that has crumbled a bit over the last few seasons. Positive about both our qualities and the kind of people we are. We’re human beings, and he’s gradually rebuilding the spirit that had somewhat crumbled over the last two seasons," Tonali told Sky Sport.

Individual performances were under the microscope; much of the scrutiny fell on Tonali, who arrived for a massive fee of £100 million to provide leadership and control in the engine room. However, the former Newcastle man struggled to influence proceedings, often looking isolated as the Brentford midfield swarmed around him. The lack of cohesion between the new signings was evident, as Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke all endured difficult debuts alongside the Italian star.

"It’s tough because we lost, but it’s great to see that everyone cares, that everyone is on the same page. So now we just have to work; the only thing to do is stay united," Tonali said.

The match itself was a one-sided affair, with Brentford’s intensity proving too much for a sluggish Spurs outfit. The Bees took control early through Keane Lewis-Potter and never looked back, exposing the defensive frailties that have plagued Tottenham in recent years. De Zerbi admitted that his side was second best in almost every department, citing physical conditioning as a major hurdle. The manager noted that several key players were not yet at peak fitness following their participation in the World Cup or late arrivals during the transfer window.

"Bad game. We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn't fight in the right way. Maybe credit to them because it's the best quality Brentford have," De Zerbi told BBC Sport's Match of the Day.

"Our physical condition was not in the right level for all players because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI. But we have to analyse this game better because we can't play this way in this type of game."

The challenge for De Zerbi now is to ensure this result does not spiral into a wider crisis of confidence. Tottenham have finished 17th in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons, and the "losing mentality" that plagued his predecessors remains a significant hurdle. De Zerbi acknowledged the scale of the task ahead: "I am surprised for the result and performance. I knew we were not in the right condition. We can't find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn't find the principle."

Expectations were sky-high for Spurs heading into the new Premier League season, fueled by a staggering £237 million investment in the playing squad. De Zerbi handed immediate starts to four high-profile summer arrivals, including defensive trio Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke, alongside the club's new £100m record signing Sandro Tonali.

Brentford's record signing Mamadou Sangare engineered the opening goal in the 12th minute, finding an unmarked Keane Lewis-Potter inside the box to put the hosts ahead. Sangare went on to dominate the midfield and exploit space between the lines during a commanding display against their London rivals. Spurs' early struggles worsened in the 33rd minute when Vitaly Janelt tapped in a rebound after Antonin Kinsky had parried Mathias Jensen's initial effort to double the lead.

Seeking an immediate reaction to the first-half capitulation, De Zerbi turned to his bench at the break. The Italian tactician introduced £85m signing Mateus Fernandes and the returning Rodrigo Bentancur, withdrawing Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall in a desperate attempt to gain some semblance of control in the middle of the park.

The tactical adjustments did little to stem the tide, and the deficit was widened in the 49th minute, shortly after the restart. Michael Kayode reacted quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area after another stinging effort from Sangare was parried into the danger zone by Kinsky.

The afternoon threatened to turn into a historic embarrassment when Bentancur, evidently lacking match sharpness, clumsily brought down Kevin Schade inside the box. Referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, leaving De Zerbi staring at the prospect of a four-goal drubbing.

Even with Igor Thiago missing from the spot - striking the post after sending Kinsky the wrong way - Brentford remained the dominant force. The hosts comfortably saw out the final stages of the match while Spurs continued to look disjointed and lacking in chemistry.

The result matched Tottenham's joint-heaviest defeat on matchday one of a Premier League season, equaling their 3-0 loss to Manchester United in the 2011-12 campaign. Spurs will now be desperate to bounce back from the setback when they return to league action against Newcastle United at home on August 29. Before that fixture, they have an immediate opportunity to reset their course when they host Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Brentford handed Tottenham Hotspur a hefty beating. At the Brentford Community Stadium, the Spurs went home on the back of a 3-0 defeat. The home side took control from the start and barely gave Tottenham a way into the game.

Brentford made the brighter start and struck in the 12th minute. A one-two between Dango Ouattara and Mamadou Sangaré sent the latter to the byline, and he cut the ball back for Keane Lewis-Potter to fire home: 1-0.

That excellent opening soon had a second goal to show for it. After some sloppy play in the Spurs build-up, Mathias Jensen got a shot away from the edge of the penalty area. Antonin Kinsky spilled the rebound and Vitaly Janelt reacted quickest to slam in the 2-0.

Soon after the break, things went from bad to worse for Roberto De Zerbi's side as Brentford made it 3-0. A headed-back corner dropped to Sangaré, who struck it first time. Kinsky again gave up a rebound, and this time Michael Kayode turned it in.

Minutes later, the Spurs had a chance to pull one back, but Mikey Moore wasted the gilt-edged opportunity with a weak effort. Brentford then won a penalty at the other end.

Rodrigo Bentancur clumsily brought down Kevin Schade and referee Michael Oliver had no choice but to point to the spot. Igor Thiago, however, failed to take the gilt-edged chance: the Brazilian hit the post.

Brentford looked like a side who felt the job was done and slightly dropped the tempo, which let the north Londoners see more of the ball. Even then, Tottenham remained toothless. In the end, the match finished 3-0.

Balogun has become one of the most sought-after players this transfer window following an exceptional campaign. According to French publication L'Equipe, Aston Villa and Barcelona have now registered concrete interest in acquiring the Monaco forward. Tottenham Hotspur had previously stepped up their search for attacking reinforcements by launching formal discussions over a €60 million transfer.

However, Spurs are no longer the sole contenders for the 25-year-old. Balogun scored 19 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions for Monaco last season. He also delivered excellent performances for the United States at the recent World Cup, making him a prime target for several top European clubs as the market nears its close on September 1.

Villa are closely monitoring the market in case Ollie Watkins departs for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal. Meanwhile, Barcelona are desperately seeking attacking reinforcements after parting ways with both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

The Spanish club have turned their attention to Balogun to rebuild their frontline. Monaco are reportedly willing to cash in on their prized asset to fund further recruitment, following a similar path to when Maghnes Akliouche left for Paris Saint-Germain. Spurs also have alternative targets, such as Manchester City's Omar Marmoush, but Balogun remains a priority.

Despite the mounting interest from England and Spain, Monaco head coach Filipe Luis remains desperate to keep his key man. Speaking recently about the striker, Luis explained the situation and acknowledged the inevitable bids. "He is one of our players. I know he’s going to receive a lot of offers given his last season and his World Cup performance," Luis stated.

"He’s a special player. You don’t find many players on the market with his attributes. If he stays, I’ll be really, really happy to have him with us." Balogun missed the recent 3-2 Europa Conference League playoff victory over Gornik Zabrze in Poland but has been registered on the UEFA squad list.

Tottenham, Villa, and Barcelona must act quickly to meet the €60m asking price before the transfer window officially closes on September 1. Balogun is expected to return to team training shortly, and a decision on his involvement in the upcoming Ligue 1 match against Le Havre on Sunday is imminent as his long-term future hangs in the balance.