Why Tottenham should sign Man City's £52m star instead

Ever since Heung-min Son left Tottenham Hotspur last year, the Lilywhites have struggled for a long time. It's not all Son, of course, but their lack of real charm was evident last term.

Whether it's injuries or a lack of defensive strength, Spurs seem lost. 17th place was what they deserved for their efforts.

However, with Roberto De Zerbi in charge, they are back with a vengeance. They are finally ready to replace Son and Harry Kane with him.

Indeed, after the club record arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, attention has turned to strengthening the forward line.

Spurs have an option for £52m Savinho

At Spurs, it would appear that they have one clear order this summer; signing players proven by the Premier League. In attack, Eli Junior Kroupi is the latest interesting name to be touted for a move to Tottenham. That said, they face competition from some of Europe's top clubs to prize him away from Bournemouth.

The most tangible link has been to Manchester City winger Savinho. It was revealed earlier in the window that Tottenham are already in talks with City about the Brazilian.

The Spurs recruitment team tried to make a deal last year but Savinho ended up staying at the Etihad. However, this time, he is more likely to leave after starting seven league games all season.

The arrival of Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo had a negative impact not only on his game time but also on the game time of a certain Omar Marmoush. As it happens, the Egyptian is another player on De Zerbi's wish list.

This is what Caught Offside said this weekend, which reports that Spurs are showing great interest in this player, so much so that they are planning to issue an 'official request' to sign this player in the coming days.

City are seeking a £52m fee to sell Marmoush this summer with a number of clubs expressing interest including Juventus, Aston Villa and several Bundesliga sides.

Why Marmoush should be preferred over Savinho

Strengthening the defense? Tick. Strengthening the field? Tick. Strengthening the attack? Still waiting.

For Spurs, this has been a strong start to the transfer window with Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes both coming at big costs. Although Tonali's move is yet to be officially announced, he is expected to head north to London for a £100m fee.

Immediately, the core of the team looks much better but now they need to invest in a little star power, a forward player who is ready to shine and change the attacking formation of De Zerbi's team.

It's safe to say that Savinho will definitely help by not being the better choice of City's two players here. Although Savinho is a dominant player, registering 13 assists in 2024/25, he is not a regular goalscorer.

Spurs already have a creative side. Xavi Simons will not feature until the end of 2026/27 but James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus will both return to add to that department.

What they need and what they have done since Harry Kane left was a regular striker. Well, in the form of Marmoush. they will get that.

Like Savinho, the Egyptian struggled for game time in 2025/26, starting eight Premier League games. Very few will start ahead of Erling Haaland, it has to be said. Pep Guardiola has also played a slightly different style in recent years with the likes of Marmoush and Julian Alvarez operating as second strikers behind the Norwegian.

However, last season he was an electrician. Able to play anywhere, behind the central midfielder or as a solo player, this is a ferocious attacker. While Savinho scored only seven goals in 84 games for the Citizens, Marmoush scored 16 of 61.

On paper it might not be the best figures but he has only started 36 games under Pep's watch.

2024/25 has been particularly profitable for the 27-year-old, though. Signing for City in the winter, he was in struggling form for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 15 goals in 17 Bundesliga games. He then netted seven goals in 16 Premier League games at the end of England's domestic campaign.

He has improved more than Savinho ever has and could be the game-changing forward signing De Zerbi needs after strengthening the back and midfield.