Manchester City are a team always in the spotlight, a club that never sleeps, a footballing machine built by Pep Guardiola to dominate Europe and the Premier League. Every transfer window brings stories, drama, and decisions that can shape the future of this team for many years. And in the summer of 2025, City once again showed their power by bringing in big names like Gianluigi Donnarumma and six other signings to strengthen the squad. But at the same time, there was another story bubbling under the surface – the contract situations of some of their key players.
Now, only weeks after the window closed, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester City are very close to securing a new deal for one of their brightest young stars, the Brazilian winger Savinho. It is news that has shocked many fans and surprised many rivals because only a few months ago, Savinho himself seemed ready to leave the club. Tottenham wanted him, he wanted game time, and everything looked like he might walk away from the Etihad. But football is unpredictable, and just like that, the story has flipped.
Savinho is only 21 years old, but he has already built a reputation as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe. Blessed with pace, skill, and that fearless Brazilian flair, he is a nightmare for defenders. When Pep Guardiola first brought him into the squad, there were doubts about whether he would get enough minutes to show his potential. After all, this is a team with players like Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Jack Grealish all fighting for similar positions. Tottenham smelled an opportunity and tried to tempt him away. Reports say that Thomas Frank, now Spurs manager, personally wanted him and pushed hard to make it happen.
For Savinho, the decision was not simple. On one hand, staying at City meant learning under Guardiola, training with some of the world’s best players, and being part of a team that fights for every trophy. On the other hand, moving to Tottenham meant guaranteed playing time and a clearer path to being selected for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. At 21, he knew that minutes on the pitch were everything.
It looked like he was leaning towards leaving. In fact, many insiders believed he was just waiting for City to give him the green light. But then came Guardiola. Pep has a way of convincing players, of making them believe they are central to his plan. He described Savinho as “extraordinary,” and those words mattered. For a young player, to hear that from one of the greatest managers of all time is no small thing.
City rejected two bids from Tottenham. They stood firm, even though Savinho himself was open to the idea of a move. That decision by the club showed something very clear – they were not just protecting an asset, they were protecting their future. They see Savinho not as a backup, not as a rotation player, but as someone who can define the next era of Manchester City football.
Now, Fabrizio Romano reports that the two sides are in the advanced stages of negotiating a new long-term contract. If all goes as planned, Savinho will sign a deal keeping him at the Etihad until 2031. For context, that’s six more years – by the time the deal ends, he will be 27, in the peak of his career, and possibly one of the best players in the world.
The financial side also matters. Savinho is currently on around £50,000 per week, which for a player of his ability is very low compared to some of his teammates. The new contract is expected to give him a significant pay rise, although the exact figure is yet to be confirmed. For City, it is a small price to pay to secure a player who could be worth hundreds of millions in the transfer market.
This deal shows the long-term vision of Manchester City. Just weeks ago, Ruben Dias signed a contract extension that ties him down until 2029. He is the rock of their defence, the leader who will carry them through the next generation. Now Savinho is about to join that list of secured stars. And he won’t be the last.
Phil Foden, perhaps the most imortant player in Guardiola’s entire system, is next on the list. His current deal runs until 2027, but City want to extend it now before any talk of uncertainty arises. Foden is in sensational form, scoring goals, creating chances, and leading the attack in ways that show he has matured into a world-class player. The club knows that Real Madrid and Barcelona will always circle around players like him, so tying him down to a new long-term deal is a priority.
Then there is John Stones, another important figure but one whose situation is different. Stones has had injury problems, and at 31, City are cautious. Talks are ongoing, but instead of a long-term contract, the club is only willing to offer him a one-year extension. It’s a sign of respect for his service, but also a signal that City are planning for the future with younger defenders like Josko Gvardiol and Dias.
Speaking of Gvardiol, he is another player who will soon be offered new terms. City see him as one of the best young defenders in the world, and his development under Guardiola has been rapid. Tying him down to a longer deal is as much about protection from rivals as it is about reward for his performances.
And then there is Rodri. The Spanish midfielder is the heartbeat of this team, the man Guardiola once described as “the most important player in the squad.” He won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, proof of his influence, and unsurprisingly, Real Madrid want him. But City will not let him go without a fight. They want to extend his deal and make sure that if he ever leaves, it will be on their terms and for a record-breaking fee.
But for now, the headline belongs to Savinho. The boy who wanted to leave is staying. The winger who almost wore the white of Tottenham will now continue to shine in the blue of Manchester City. It is not just about football, it is about belief. City believe in him, Guardiola believes in him, and now it is up to Savinho to repay that faith.
Fans are reacting with excitement and relief. Some still cannot believe he is staying, while others point out that this is exactly how City operate – firm, decisive, and always planning ahead. Guardiola has never been one to let young talent slip away. He builds teams not just for today, but for tomorrow.
This new deal also sends a message to rivals. Tottenham pushed hard, but City showed their power. Other clubs across Europe may look at Savinho and think about making a move, but they will know now that he is locked down. And when City lock someone down, they rarely let them go cheaply.
The story of Savinho is still being written. Will he become the next great Brazilian to dominate world football? Will he help City finally win back-to-back Champions League titles? Will he be the face of Guardiola’s next evolution of Manchester City? Nobody knows for sure. But what we do know is that he will be at the Etihad for the long haul, and that is news that changes everything.
Because at Manchester City, contracts are not just pieces of paper. They are statements. They are declarations of ambition. And with Savinho’s new deal, the statement is loud and clear – the future is blue, and Savinho is at the heart of
