Tottenham Hotspur are staring down a tight deadline in their pursuit of Savinho, with the transfer window closing fast and no resolution yet in sight before their Premier League curtain-raiser against Brentford this weekend.
Discussions between the two clubs are understood to have stalled, leaving Spurs in a difficult position as they attempt to complete the signing and get the Brazilian winger registered in time to feature at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30pm as new head coach Roberto De Zerbi begins his tenure in English football.
The north London club have already committed a substantial £237million to six incoming players this summer, yet De Zerbi has been clear that further reinforcements are still required, particularly in attacking areas. The Italian has previously stated that his squad needs two or three additional signings before the transfer window shuts, underlining just how important the Savinho pursuit is to his plans.
The 22-year-old has emerged as a priority target for Tottenham thanks to his blend of speed and positional flexibility, qualities that would give De Zerbi more attacking options as he shapes his first campaign in charge. However, with the negotiation process dragging on and no breakthrough imminent, Spurs may be forced to explore alternatives closer to home.
One option being considered is handing a role to academy graduate Mikey Moore. The teenager, still only 19, has been tipped for a loan exit this summer, with Bundesliga side Cologne reportedly showing strong interest in securing his signature. Despite that speculation, Moore could now find himself thrust into first-team contention if the Savinho deal cannot be finalized in time.
Compounding Tottenham's issues on the flanks is the continued absence of Mohammed Kudus, who has not featured at any point during pre-season as he continues his recovery from a serious quad injury. His unavailability has left De Zerbi with limited depth on the right side of attack, making the Savinho situation all the more pressing for the club's hierarchy.
The stakes extend beyond simply strengthening the squad on paper. Tottenham are eager to move past a difficult period in their recent history, having finished 17th in the Premier League in consecutive seasons. The appointment of De Zerbi was seen as a statement of intent to restore the club's competitive standing, and the opening fixture against Keith Andrews' Brentford side represents an early opportunity to signal a shift in direction.
Whether Savinho will be part of that opening statement remains uncertain. Should the deal fail to materialize before Saturday, Tottenham's attacking options will be further tested, with youth and squad depth potentially bearing the weight of expectation in the absence of proven quality.
For now, all eyes remain on the negotiating table, where time is running short and the pressure is mounting on both Tottenham's recruitment team and De Zerbi's tactical planning ahead of a pivotal season opener.
Based on reporting from standard-football.