Tottenham are confident they can secure a replacement for Johnson, with the prospective recruit being likened to Gareth Bale due to his electrifying pace and dynamic playing style.
Tottenham Hotspur must demonstrate clear signs of improvement in the latter half of the 2025/26 season. Positioned 13th in the Premier League at the midpoint, Spurs remain without a settled identity or consistent playing style under Thomas Frank.
Admittedly, the Dane inherited a difficult task. While Tottenham celebrated Europa League success, their alarming 17th-place league finish under Ange Postecoglou last season left deep structural issues. Frank has therefore taken charge of a squad in need of serious rebuilding in north London.
Even so, the opening months have offered little encouragement — particularly in attack, where cohesion, creativity, and sharpness have been largely absent. Change is required urgently, and the £35m sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace appears to signal the beginning of a squad reset.
Tottenham step up search for Brennan Johnson replacement
Johnson secured a place in club history in Bilbao, scoring the winning goal against Manchester United to end Spurs’ long wait for major silverware. That strike was his 18th of the campaign, yet his form declined sharply thereafter.
Despite his instinct for goals, the Welsh winger struggled to deliver consistently all-round, leading Frank to sanction his exit. With Johnson now gone, Tottenham face pressure to act swiftly in identifying a replacement.
According to Caught Offside, Spurs are increasingly confident about reviving their long-standing interest in Manchester City winger Savinho. The Brazilian’s situation at the Etihad is uncertain, particularly with Pep Guardiola targeting Bournemouth standout Antoine Semenyo. Tottenham failed in an approach last summer, but circumstances may now favour a deal — albeit with City reportedly valuing Savinho at around £63m.
Why Savinho could shine at Spurs
Savinho arrived at Manchester City from sister club Troyes for roughly £31m in 2024 and made an immediate impression, flashing pace, flair, and inventiveness in his debut Premier League season. However, his involvement has dropped this term, with just six league starts.
Despite limited opportunities, the 21-year-old ranks among the top 13% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for assists, while placing in the top 1% for progressive carries per 90 minutes over the past year, according to FBref — numbers that highlight his explosive attacking profile.
City analyst Steve McInerney has praised Savinho’s “electric acceleration,” and his skill set suggests he could flourish as a wide threat in north London. Elements of his game have even drawn comparisons to Gareth Bale in his prime.
Bale, widely considered one of the standout players of his generation, famously left Spurs for Real Madrid in a then world-record move in 2013, before a brief return in 2020/21. While Savinho is far from reaching those heights, he shares similar qualities — blistering speed, direct running, and the ability to turn matches from wide positions.
A comparison with Johnson over the past year further highlights the difference, with Savinho offering superior ball progression, creativity, and involvement in attacking phases. Analyst Ben Mattinson has also noted the Brazilian’s ability to glide past defenders and finish decisively — traits that echo Bale’s most memorable moments.
Still developing, Savinho’s eight assists from just 21 Premier League starts in his first season underline his promise. It’s also worth remembering that Bale himself needed time to truly adapt after arriving from Southampton.
Should Tottenham succeed in securing Savinho and nurturing his talent, they may finally restore the attacking energy and ambition that has been missing for too long.