Tottenham Hotspur are in active talks to sign Manchester City duo Omar Marmoush and Savinho, per BBC Sport and The Athletic.
Buried in Marmoush’s contract is a release clause City never expected to trigger.
It now threatens to force their hand on both players.
The Athletic reports Spurs are “working on a deal” for the pair.
BBC Sport confirms “talks in progress.”
The double swoop is real.
Not paper talk.
Marmoush has scored 14 goals in 19 Premier League appearances this season.
His chemistry with Kevin De Bruyne has been electric.
Spurs see him as the long-term Harry Kane replacement.
Savinho’s situation is different.
The Brazilian winger has started just nine league matches.
His minutes have dwindled since the arrival of Jérémy Doku.
Ange Postecoglou wants him on the left wing.
ESPN’s video debate questioned whether Spurs could pull off a double raid on the champions.
The answer may lie in a clause nobody discussed at the time of Marmoush’s transfer.
The Secret Clause: City’s Hidden Regret
The clause is simple.
If Manchester City fail to qualify for the Champions League, Marmoush’s release clause activates.
City currently sit sixth.
That scenario is no longer hypothetical.
Sources indicate the clause was framed as a loyalty bonus.
It was meant to reward Marmoush for staying if the club hit a rough patch.
Instead, it hands Tottenham a bargain entry point.
The reported release fee: £58 million.
Marmoush’s market value: £85 million.
The gap is substantial.
The knock-on effect is the real story.
If Marmoush leaves at a cut price, City must raise funds elsewhere.
Savinho becomes the saleable asset.
City’s books need balancing.
The Athletic’s analysis is blunt: the clause nullifies City’s negotiating power.
They cannot demand a premium for a player whose exit price is already fixed.
Tottenham are exploiting the domino effect.
Savinho’s Fit: More Than a Makeweight
Savinho is not a throw-in.
He is the primary target.
His numbers at City this season: 2.4 successful take-ons per 90 minutes.
1.8 key passes per 90.
Direct. Fast. Willing to run at defenders.
Postecoglou’s 4-3-3 demands exactly that profile.
Inverted left winger.
Cut inside.
Shoot or slide a pass through the half-space.
The comparison table is revealing.
| Metric (per 90) | Savinho | Kulusevski | Brennan Johnson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Successful take-ons | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Key passes | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Progressive carries | 6.2 | 4.8 | 3.9 |
| Goals | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Assists | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Kulusevski is more creative.
Johnson is a better finisher.
But neither offers Savinho’s progressive ball-carrying.
Spurs supporters are buzzing.
The prospect of a Savinho-Marmoush axis has dominated fan forums for 48 hours.
The Marmoush Question: Worth the Drama?
Marmoush’s form is undeniable.
14 goals.
7 assists.
He links well with De Bruyne, but that partnership is one injury away from collapse.
His international pedigree is solid.
Captain for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Leadership qualities that Postecoglou values.
Risks exist.
He has missed 11 matches across two seasons due to muscle injuries.
The pressure of replacing Kane at a club with title ambitions is real.
The verdict is mixed.
At £58 million, the value is strong.
At full fitness, he is a top-tier forward.
Both conditions remain open questions.
City’s Counter-Moves: Can They Block the Exit?
Premier League profit and sustainability rules (PSR) constrain City.
Their last financial report showed losses of £89 million.
Selling both players would generate significant headroom.
Contract loopholes remain.
City could attempt to renegotiate a new deal with Marmoush, removing the clause.
That would require the player’s cooperation.
He has not signaled willingness.
A buy-back clause for Savinho is possible.
City have used this tactic before with academy graduates.
But Savinho is 22.
He wants minutes now.
Replacement targets are being discussed.
City have scouted Randal Kolo Muani and Nico Williams.
Both would cost more than the combined fees Spurs are offering.
Pep Guardiola’s stance is unclear.
He has publicly praised both players.
But he has also sanctioned sales of Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, and Cole Palmer when the price was right.
Title Race Implications
A double deal would weaken City’s depth significantly.
Their bench already lacks the firepower of previous seasons.
For Spurs, the impact is immediate.
They would gain two starting-caliber attackers.
Top-four contention becomes realistic.
Arsenal and Liverpool are watching closely.
Both clubs have faced City’s financial muscle for years.
A weakened City shifts the balance of power.
Other clubs may test City’s resolve before deadline day.
Vulnerability attracts vultures.
Timeline and Next Steps
The transfer window closes January 31.
Medical tests are tentatively scheduled for next week.
No contract terms have been finalized.
Follow these journalists for breaking news:
Sam Lee (The Athletic, Manchester City correspondent).
Alasdair Gold (Football London, Tottenham).
David Ornstein (The Athletic senior reporter).
Social media is split.
City fans are furious about the clause.
Spurs fans are euphoric.
Our prediction: The deal closes.
Marmoush for £58 million.
Savinho for £42 million.
Total package: £100 million.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the secret clause in Marmoush’s contract?
- A: The clause activates a £58 million release fee if Manchester City fail to qualify for the Champions League, potentially allowing Tottenham to sign him below market value.
- Q: Why is Savinho linked to Tottenham?
- A: Savinho has seen limited minutes at City since Jérémy Doku’s arrival, and Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou wants him for the left wing.
- Q: Could Tottenham sign both players?
- A: Yes, reports from BBC Sport and The Athletic confirm Spurs are working on a double deal, and the release clause may make it financially feasible.
Extended Reading
Source reporting: BBC Sport confirms talks in progress.
The Athletic details the structural negotiations.
ESPN’s video debate raised the feasibility question.
All three outlets point to the clause as the catalyst.