£69m star wants to seal deadline day move to Spurs

The signing of Xavi Simons marks nearly a month-long pursuit for Tottenham Hotspur to find their James Maddison replacement.

In a World Cup year, this was set to be an important campaign for the Englishman, who was notably excluded from England’s squad at the European Championships.

More heartbreak has befallen Maddison, set to miss most of the 2025/26 campaign with an ACL injury.

Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White were the main targets but the former joined Arsenal instead and the latter was handed a shiny new contract by Mr Marinakis at Nottingham Forest.

So, Simons ended up being the man, penning terms after Spurs agreed to pay RB Leipzig £51m to attain his signature.

Yet, the Lilywhites may not be done there.

Spurs could conclude one last deal

If Spurs are to conclude any last-minute deals then it’s likely to be in attack. Dominic Solanke has picked up another injury problem while Richarlison has had his own setbacks throughout his time in the capital.

As such, going into the campaign without another forward player signed could be a recipe for disaster as far as Thomas Frank and Co are concerned.

A number of players have been linked in recent days, notably Lucas Paqueta and Ademola Lookman, but the more likely name to join is Manchester City winger, Savinho.

A number of weeks ago reports emerged that stated Spurs were in talks to sign the Brazilian winger and indeed, the Lilywhites are still trying to conclude a deal worth around £69m.

City are reluctant to sell but the 21-year-old is trying to force through a move in the remaining hours of the transfer window, having been left frustrated by his club’s stance.

Now, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, both player and club are trying to make a deal happen.

Bailey states that Spurs “love” Savinho, suggesting that a deal “is not dead in the water yet”. That’s presumably due to the player’s stance.

Indeed, the report further notes that the Brazilian is ‘keen to make the switch’, with his desire to leave a factor that could ‘yet make the deal possible’.

Why Xavi Simons would love playing alongside Savinho

The addition of Simons in the last few days is undoubtedly a landmark addition for the Lilywhites.

He will bring goals, having scored 11 times last season, and he will bring assists, registering eight in all competitions throughout 2024/25.

The Dutchman is certainly one of the best playmakers in European football and at the age of just 22, he’s only going to get better.

Combine his playmaking ability with the creativity of Savinho and you have a duel threat that could transform the fortunes of Frank’s attack.

While Spurs didn’t struggle to fashion chances against Burnley and Manchester City, scoring five goals, they really did against Bournemouth on Saturday. Spurs managed just five total shots to Andoni Iraola’s side’s 20, and they failed to carve out a single big chance.

Therefore, Simons and Savinho could work in tandem to boost the forward line. After all, they are two of the most creative players in Europe.

Last season, while the Brazilian struggled in front of goal with just three strikes, he was particularly creative.

A “superstar in the making”, in the words of Paul Merson, the 21-year-old contributed with 13 assists in all competitions. As such, he ranked among the top 13% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for assists per 90 minutes.

He also sits inside the best 3% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons, rubberstamping his credentials as one of the most exciting wide players on the continent.

Those numbers draw similarities to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz, with FBref declaring the two Premier League stars as some of the most similar players in Europe to Savinho.

That creative and progressive nature would make him a phenomenal player for Simons, a player who possesses very similar traits.

Indeed, over the last year, the former Leipzig man ranks among the best 13% of players in his position for progressive passes. With Savinho, a willing runner, and Simons, a willing creator, this feels like a match made in heaven for Spurs.

What this would open up are multiple areas of attack. Simons would have the remarkable pace of Brennan Johnson to feed and then he’d also have the more skilful nature of Kudus and Savinho to tee up.

It really does feel like Frank would be covering all bases behind the main centre forward if this occurred.