Guardiola Backs Savinho for Long Man City Stay Amid Tottenham Transfer Rumors

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his confidence that Brazilian winger Savinho will remain at the club for many years to come, despite recent transfer links to Tottenham Hotspur. The young talent, who only joined City ahead of the 2024-25 season, has quickly become an integral part of Guardiola's squad following an impressive loan spell with Girona in La Liga.

Savinho's arrival at the Etihad Stadium came after a reported £30.8 million (€35.6 million) deal from Troyes, and he wasted no time in showcasing his skills. In his debut season, the Brazilian made 45 appearances across all competitions, contributing two goals and ten assists. His dribbling ability, in particular, stood out, with only teammate Jeremy Doku completing more dribbles for City in all competitions.

"Savinho is an extraordinary player. At 21-years-old, with the potential he has, playing a lot of minutes, he has to improve in final decisions," Guardiola said. He stressed the importance of having the attacker in his ranks, but was clear that the player's desire ultimately prevails above everything.

The winger's performances have not gone unnoticed, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly expressing interest in acquiring his services. However, Guardiola remains optimistic about Savinho's future at City, emphasizing the club's desire to keep him. However, Guardiola acknowledged that any club interested in Savinho should contact Manchester City directly, following the standard protocol for player transfers.

"I don’t know. If Tottenham, or any other club, wants a player, you should call the club, right? It’s the same like we do," Guardiola stated. "The only thing I’m concerned about today is that Savinho will be with us all season, and hopefully for many, many years."

Guardiola also addressed the situation of Ederson, the Brazilian goalkeeper who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray. While acknowledging the rumors, Guardiola maintained that Ederson, like Savinho, would need to express his desire to leave before any potential transfer could be considered. He emphasized that all players currently at the club are part of his plans and that he will continue to work with them unless they indicate otherwise.

Adding to City's injury concerns, Guardiola confirmed that Savinho would miss their Premier League opener against Wolves due to an injury, with a decision yet to be made on the severity of the problem. Ederson will also miss the match, likely handing a debut to summer signing James Trafford. McAtee is reportedly close to completing a switch to Nottingham Forest in what would be a permanent deal, a development Guardiola reluctantly accepted due to the player's desire for more playing time.

"I would love to have Macca with me, but we have too many players, and he wanted more minutes. I understand completely," Guardiola said, expressing his understanding of McAtee's situation and his desire for regular first-team action.

The City manager concluded by reiterating his commitment to working with the players currently at his disposal, emphasizing the importance of their desire and the club's agreement in any potential transfer dealings. Guardiola's words reflect his confidence in Savinho's potential and his determination to keep the talented winger at Manchester City for the foreseeable future, while also navigating the complexities of player transfers and squad management.