City winger forces the issue as a “done deal” refuses to die

Savinho has told City he wants to leave this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano — a direct intervention from the player after a move to Tottenham that looked all but confirmed two weeks ago went quiet.

City and Spurs were reported to have reached an agreement in principle around £60m in mid-July, with a medical said to be imminent.

It never happened.

Talks stalled as Savinho returned for pre-season training under Enzo Maresca, and the deal sat unresolved for close to a fortnight.

Romano’s update changes the tone. Savinho has now formally informed City’s hierarchy that he wants more regular football than City’s crowded wide areas can offer him, with Tottenham still his only preferred destination.

The decision on whether to sanction the move remains City’s, though the player going public in this way piles pressure on to resolve.

Reports on the fee vary — from around £43m up to £70m depending on the outlet — but the gap between City’s valuation and Tottenham’s opening offers looks to be the real hold-up rather than Savinho’s willingness to go.

With City’s Asia tour squad already confirmed and Savinho left out, his City career looks to be entering its final stretch.

Whether that means a deal gets done this week or drags into August remains the open question.