Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of a major attacking overhaul, closing in on the signings of Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush. According to multiple reports, including from transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have reached a verbal agreement with City to sign Marmoush on an initial loan deal that includes an obligation to buy for £50 million should certain conditions be met. The Egyptian forward has agreed personal terms and is expected to travel to London on Monday for his medical, with some outlets suggesting he could make his debut against Newcastle on Saturday, August 29, if registered by the noon BST Friday deadline.

In a parallel move, Tottenham have also agreed a deal for Brazilian winger Savinho, with the total package reported at £85 million—£75 million upfront with £10 million in potential add-ons. Savinho is due to undergo his medical in the coming days, and one report claims he has already completed his tests. The double raid on Manchester City comes after Spurs suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brentford in their Premier League opener, a result that has intensified the need for attacking reinforcements.

The deals are part of a remarkable summer of spending at Tottenham. The club has already brought in six new signings—Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, and Jan Paul van Hecke—with total expenditure reportedly reaching £230 million before the Savinho deal. Once that transfer is finalized, the club's summer spending will exceed £300 million, and with the potential addition of Marmoush and possibly another forward, the outlay could approach £400 million. Manager Roberto De Zerbi has hinted at further activity, telling reporters after the Brentford loss: "We have not finished yet in the transfer market. We are working very well with Johan Lange, with Vinai [Venkatesham], and with Nick [Beucher]—with the whole board."

The urgency stems from a difficult start to the campaign and a previous season that saw Tottenham narrowly avoid relegation, finishing one place above the drop zone. De Zerbi, who took over at the end of March, has been vocal about the need for attacking quality. Following the Brentford defeat, he admitted: "I knew after the Hoffenheim game, I said we are not in the right point, we are late for the start of the Premier League." He also noted specific issues: "We were not ready to win the duels. We made many mistakes in pressing with Mikey Moore."

The signing of Marmoush addresses a long-standing concern at centre-forward. Dominic Solanke has been plagued by injuries over the last 18 months, and Richarlison, who failed to register a single shot in his 68-minute appearance against Brentford, is entering the final year of his contract. Marmoush, who joined Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for a reported £59 million, has struggled for regular playing time at the Etihad, starting only eight Premier League matches and featuring in just 62 appearances across all competitions, scoring 16 goals. His output per 90 minutes, according to Opta data, exceeds both Solanke and Richarlison in most attacking metrics, including goals and assists, shots, chances created, progressive carries, and runs in behind. Former City defender Nedum Onuoha, speaking on the player's quality, said: "When I see Marmoush, I don't remember the missed penalty, but rather I see the power he possesses in some of his runs in behind the defenders." Marmoush's versatility—capable of playing on either flank or through the middle—is seen as a key asset for De Zerbi's system.

The financial mechanics of the deals have attracted scrutiny. City paid a significant fee for Marmoush, and some have speculated the sales are designed to help the club's financial position. However, football finance expert Kieran Maguire dismissed such theories: "I think the Marmoush rumours are more conspiracy theory than fact. If you look at the purchase price for Marmoush, City probably made no more than £10m profit on the sale. It really wouldn't be in Man City's interest at this time... to be seen to be attempting to manipulate results." Eintracht Frankfurt are due a 15% sell-on fee from any transfer, which could further reduce City's profit.

Beyond the City duo, Tottenham are exploring additional attacking options. Reports suggest the club has made an approach for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances. Chelsea value the 25-year-old at around £65 million and are open to selling him, with Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, and Napoli also interested. Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood has urged the club to pursue Jackson, though some pundits question his consistency. Tottenham have also been linked with Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, a former Arsenal academy product, who scored 19 goals last season and impressed at the World Cup for the USA. Barcelona and Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race for Balogun, with Monaco open to a sale for around €60 million. However, a deal for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo appears to be stalling.

The activity is not limited to attacking areas. Tottenham have overhauled their defence, signing Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Jan Paul van Hecke, while several players have departed, including Cristian Romero, who joined Atletico Madrid. The club has also been linked with Crystal Palace full-back Daniel Munoz as cover for Pedro Porro, though journalist Pete O'Rourke suggested Munoz might have reservations about a move where he would not be a guaranteed starter. Meanwhile, young winger Mikey Moore is reportedly close to a loan move to 1. FC Cologne, according to German outlet Bild, with De Zerbi giving the green light to the temporary exit.

For Tottenham, the upcoming fixtures loom large. After the Brentford setback, they face Newcastle at home, a match that could provide the stage for the new signings. With the transfer window still open, De Zerbi's promise that the club is "not finished yet" suggests more business could be on the horizon. As one report noted, the arrivals of Savinho and Marmoush represent "a significant statement of intent" following the opening weekend disappointment.