sports

Savinho joins Tottenham from Manchester City in £85m deal

Published

2 months ago

August 25, 2026

Savinho joins Tottenham from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £85m, with the Brazilian winger citing Roberto De Zerbi as a key reason

Brazilian winger Savinho has joined Tottenham Hotspur from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £85m, with the 22-year-old saying on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, that a conversation with Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi convinced him to make the move.

Also read: Xabi Alonso Explains Why Caicedo and Palestra Missed Fulham Win

Tottenham confirmed the transfer after weeks of negotiations, completing another major addition to De Zerbi’s squad as the north London club continue an ambitious summer rebuild.

The deal is understood to be worth £75m initially, with a further £10m potentially payable in add-ons. The transfer makes Savinho one of the most expensive arrivals of Tottenham’s summer window.

The Brazilian, who will now go by the name Sávio, said his decision was strongly influenced by his first conversation with De Zerbi.

“It’s taken a while but I’m very happy to be here. It’s a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world.”

He added:

“As soon as I spoke to De Zerbi I knew I had to come.”

The move brings an end to Savinho’s two-year spell at Manchester City, where he made 84 appearances and scored seven goals after arriving from City Football Group sister club Troyes.

Savinho initially attracted considerable attention during his loan spell at Girona before earning his move to Manchester City.

He made his City debut in the Community Shield in August 2024 and subsequently scored against Leicester City, Club Brugge and Juventus during his time at the club.

His opportunities at City, however, were limited compared with the expectations surrounding him. The winger’s desire for a more prominent role became increasingly apparent as Tottenham pursued him.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano had reported earlier that Tottenham and Manchester City had reached a verbal agreement, with the fee expected to exceed £75m. Romano also reported that Savinho was travelling to London for his medical before the deal was completed.

The completed transfer represents a significant investment by Tottenham in a player regarded as capable of providing pace, creativity and attacking threat from wide areas.

De Zerbi is understood to have played an important role in convincing Savinho that Tottenham was the right destination.

The Brazilian’s comments underline the personal appeal of working under the Italian coach as Spurs seek to establish a new identity under his management.

Tottenham’s spending has been substantial during the summer, with Savinho becoming another major signing in a squad overhaul designed to give De Zerbi the personnel required for his preferred style of football. The club’s expenditure has already passed £300m, according to reports.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are reshaping their own attacking options. The club has agreed a deal to sign Brazilian winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras, with the move expected to help fill the space created by Savinho’s departure.

Savinho leaves City having shown flashes of the ability that made him one of Brazil’s most exciting young attacking players, but Tottenham represents a fresh opportunity for the winger to establish himself as a central figure rather than a supporting option.

His arrival also comes at a significant moment for Spurs, who are looking to build a competitive squad around De Zerbi after a difficult previous campaign.

For Savinho, the challenge now is to translate his considerable potential into consistent Premier League performances.

Also read: Xabi Alonso Explains Why Caicedo and Palestra Missed Fulham Win

His message on completing the move is clear: the conversation with De Zerbi gave him the confidence that Tottenham was where he could take the next major step in his career.

Brands

Mbappe Apologises Over Mao Zedong Comment as Chinese Brands End Deals

Published

13 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Mbappe Mao Zedong comment sparks backlash in China, prompting an apology from the Real Madrid star and the termination of two brand partnerships

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has apologised over an “ill-judged” comment about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong after Chinese drinks manufacturer Dongpeng Beverage and dairy producer Mengniu terminated their partnerships with the French football star.

Also read: Police Confirm Three Killed, Inspector Injured in Kebbi Violence

Mbappe, who captains France’s national team, issued the apology on his X account on Tuesday, acknowledging that his remarks had upset people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.

“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” he said.

The controversy followed the circulation of a video in which the 27-year-old footballer reacted to an internet meme featuring his face superimposed on that of a Chinese leader.

He reportedly described it as the funniest meme he had seen and referred to the figure as “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator”, in an apparent reference to Mao.

Dongpeng Beverage announced on Tuesday that it was ending its partnership with Mbappe, citing its opposition to comments considered offensive to Chinese national sentiment.

“Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments,” the company said.

“With immediate effect, we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe,” it added.

Mengniu, one of China’s largest dairy producers, also announced that it was ending its partnership with the Real Madrid forward.

“With immediate effect, our company is terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe,” the company said, adding that it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

The announcements generated widespread discussion on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where Dongpeng’s decision to end its partnership with the footballer became a trending topic.

Mao, who led the Chinese Communist Party and died in 1976, remains a highly sensitive historical and political figure in China.

Comments perceived as disrespectful towards him can provoke strong public reactions.

Mbappe had previously addressed memes comparing him to historical dictators in an interview with French sports newspaper L’Equipe in September.

“There’s a part of it that’s funny. You can tell that, for some people, it’s all in good fun. But there is another part that’s a bit less funny because of the damage such people have caused throughout history,” he said.

He added that being compared with individuals responsible for mass killings and widespread suffering was uncomfortable.

“Being compared to individuals who murder others, or who have brought misery to millions upon millions of people — well, I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like that in my life,” Mbappe said.

International sports figures have previously faced commercial and public backlash in China over politically sensitive comments concerning Taiwan, Tibet and Hong Kong.

In 2019, a social media post by then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressing support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong prompted Chinese authorities and businesses to suspend NBA-related activities.

NBA games were subsequently absent from Chinese state television broadcasts for about a year.

In 2023, former NBA player Dwight Howard also faced criticism on Chinese social media after referring to Taiwan as a country in a video featuring Taiwan’s then vice president, Lai Ching-te.

Also read: Police Confirm Three Killed, Inspector Injured in Kebbi Violence

Mbappe’s apology comes amid the fallout from the latest controversy and the decisions by Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu to end their commercial relationships with the footballer.