Manchester City finds itself at the center of the Premier League’s latest transfer intrigue, as manager Pep Guardiola faces swirling speculation over the futures of two Brazilian stars: winger Savinho and goalkeeper Ederson. With the new season’s curtain-raiser against Wolverhampton at Molineux fast approaching, all eyes are on Guardiola’s handling of both player fitness and potential departures.
On August 15, 2025, Guardiola addressed the mounting rumors head-on in a pre-match press conference, making his stance unmistakably clear. "If they want to leave they will come to me. I’m working with them because I am here. If they want to leave, they will knock on my door," he stated, referencing both Savinho and Ederson. The message was direct: the door is open for honest conversations, but no player has yet asked to leave.
Savinho, just 21 years old, arrived at Manchester City last summer in a high-profile $45 million transfer, penning a five-year contract that signaled the club’s faith in his future. In his debut season, the Brazilian winger notched three goals across 48 total appearances—an impressive tally for a youngster adapting to the rigors of English football. Guardiola has been quick to highlight Savinho’s potential, noting, "At 21 years old with the potential he has... he’s played a lot of minutes, he has to improve his final decisions but he’s an extraordinary player. Otherwise he would not play more than 3,000 minutes."
Yet, as the Premier League’s opening weekend looms, Savinho’s immediate future is clouded not by transfer drama, but by injury. The winger picked up an unspecified knock during City’s recent 3-0 preseason win over Palermo in Sicily. Though he started the second half of that friendly, no concerns were raised until Guardiola’s Friday briefing, when he confirmed, "Savinho is injured, sorry I didn’t remember. He’s injured from Palermo. Had a problem. A few weeks he will be out." The timing is less than ideal for City, who now face Wolverhampton without the pacy wide man in their ranks.
Despite his absence, the bigger story may be the persistent transfer links tying Savinho to Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs, coming off the back of a tumultuous summer that saw Son Heung-min depart and James Maddison sidelined with an ACL tear, are reportedly desperate for attacking reinforcements. The London club is said to have tabled a £60 million bid for Savinho—a figure that City has rebuffed. Reports also suggest that the player’s agents are en route from Brazil, aiming to facilitate a potential move to North London. The speculation is relentless, but Guardiola’s position remains measured. "I don't know – if Tottenham, or any other club, wants a player, you should call the club, right? It's the same like we do," he remarked, underscoring that any transfer business must go through official channels.
Guardiola’s hope, however, is that Savinho remains a City player for the foreseeable future. "The only thing I am concerned about today is that Savinho will be with us all the season, and hopefully for many, many years," he said. It’s a sentiment echoed by many within the Etihad, where the young Brazilian’s raw talent and work rate have already made a strong impression. Still, the City boss is realistic about the nature of modern football. "But at the end, as always, the desire of the player prevails above everything. After there has to be an agreement with the club. If you don't take an agreement, the player will be here."
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Ederson is equally intriguing, though less urgent. The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been the bedrock of Manchester City’s defense since joining from Benfica in 2017, helping the club to six league titles and a host of other honors. Recently, British press outlets have linked Ederson with a possible move to Turkish giants Galatasaray. However, Guardiola was quick to pour cold water on the speculation, stating, "Ederson didn’t come to me and say ‘I want to leave, I have an offer,’ so all the players (who) are here are our players, and I work with them. What's going to happen (in the transfer window) nobody knows."
Guardiola’s philosophy on transfers is refreshingly straightforward. "In the end, as always, the desire of the players (is) above everything," he reiterated. For now, Ederson remains City’s undisputed number one, and unless the player himself expresses a wish to move, the club’s stance is unlikely to change.
The uncertainty surrounding Savinho and Ederson comes at a critical juncture for Manchester City. The club is eager to defend its Premier League crown, but the pressures of the transfer market and the physical toll of preseason are already making their presence felt. The absence of Savinho for the season opener is a blow, especially given his growing importance to the squad. Tottenham’s pursuit adds another layer of drama, with their rejected offer serving as a statement of intent. The coming weeks could prove decisive—not just for Savinho’s future, but for City’s campaign as a whole.
For Tottenham, the lure of Savinho is obvious. With Son’s departure and Maddison’s injury, the club is in dire need of attacking options. Savinho’s pace, flair, and versatility make him an ideal candidate to fill the void. The fact that his agents are reportedly flying in from Brazil only fuels speculation that a deal could be on the horizon. Yet, for all the noise, the reality remains unchanged: unless Savinho himself pushes for a move and City receives an acceptable offer, the Brazilian will stay put—at least for now.
As the transfer window ticks on, Manchester City fans will be watching closely. Will Savinho recover in time to make an impact this season? Can City fend off Tottenham’s advances and keep their young star? And what of Ederson—will the veteran goalkeeper remain at the Etihad, or could a late move materialize? For now, Guardiola’s message is clear: the club’s door is always open, but the players’ desires will ultimately shape their destinies.
With the new Premier League season just getting underway, Manchester City faces more questions than answers. The coming weeks promise plenty of twists and turns, both on and off the pitch. For Savinho and Ederson, the next chapter is yet to be written—but the football world will be watching every step of the way.
