When Manchester City bought Savinho, many fans across Europe already knew about the young Brazilian winger with pace, flair, and the kind of confidence that makes defenders panic. He was the boy from Brazil who grew up dreaming with the ball at his feet, and he arrived in Europe determined to make his name at the highest level. But like many young talents at Manchester City, the path has not been simple. At a club filled with stars, breaking into Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven is one of the hardest challenges in football. And this summer, it looked like Savinho could be heading for the exit door. Tottenham Hotspur were desperate to sign him, offering not one but two bids, as they wanted to add speed and creativity to their attack. But in the end, Manchester City refused to sell. And now, just weeks later, Savinho has posted a powerful message on social media, one that comes at the same time as news breaking that the club are preparing to hand him a brand new contract.
To understand the drama of this story, you have to go back to the summer transfer window. Tottenham came knocking with serious money. First, they offered £43 million. Manchester City said no. Then, they returned with £60 million, a figure that showed just how much they valued Savinho’s potential. Still, Manchester City turned it down. This was not just about money. Guardiola and the club board had already seen two big names leave during the same summer—Jack Grealish, who joined Everton on loan after falling out of favor, and Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian legend who departed after years of being the heartbeat of City’s midfield. Losing another creative player, especially one so young, was never part of the plan. Guardiola made it clear: Savinho was staying, even if his role in the team was not yet as big as he wanted.
For Savinho himself, the summer was filled with uncertainty. Reports suggested he was open to leaving because he wanted more first-team opportunities. Last season he featured in 48 games, but he only started 21 in the Premier League. His numbers were not bad—three goals and twelve assists across competitions—but for a player with his ambitions, he wanted more minutes, more responsibility, more time to shine. Being a rotational option at City is something many players have struggled with, and there was a sense that Tottenham could offer him a bigger stage. But City’s refusal to sell showed faith. Guardiola told the club he sees Savinho not just as a squad player but as someone who could grow into a key piece of City’s future.
That belief is now starting to show. Savinho returned from an injury that had kept him quiet since the summer, and he was given his first start of the season in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield. He didn’t waste the chance. He scored in a 2–0 win and reminded everyone of what he can do when he is trusted. After the game, he took to social media and posted a photo of himself kissing the Manchester City badge. The caption was short but powerful: “DEUS” with a heart emoji, meaning “God” in Portuguese. It was a message not just about faith, but about loyalty, pride, and a new chapter. The reaction was immediate. Fans commented with joy, celebrating his commitment. Teammates joined in too, with Jack Grealish writing “Saviiii” under the post, and Matheus Nunes jokingly adding “A whole lot of crack.” It showed the bond in the dressing room, the recognition that Savinho was not just another player but a talent everyone admired.
The timing of that post was not a coincidence. As he kissed the badge online, reports emerged that Manchester City are preparing to offer him a new contract. For a player who was nearly sold just weeks ago, this is a complete turnaround. But it also shows the reality of football at the highest level. Things change fast. In the summer, some City fans were even criticising the idea of keeping him, arguing that if he wanted to leave, the club should have cashed in. Now, with Grealish gone, Rayan Cherki sidelined with an injury, and Savinho stepping up, those same critics are beginning to see why Guardiola fought to keep him. The boy who was nearly wearing white at Tottenham is now preparing to commit his future in sky blue.
For Tottenham, this saga feels like a missed chance. They had identified Savinho as the man to bring speed and unpredictability to their wings. Ange Postecoglou wanted him badly, and Spurs were confident that their financial offers would tempt City. But City’s refusal means Tottenham must go back to the drawing board, and the sight of Savinho scoring for City and celebrating with their fans must sting. For Manchester City, however, this is a victory. They resisted the temptation to cash in, they trusted Guardiola’s judgment, and now they are seeing the rewards. The rejection of Tottenham’s £60 million bid could look like a masterstroke in the years to come if Savinho develops into one of Europe’s best.
The story of Savinho is also a story of patience and timing. Last season, he was often used as a substitute, coming on to change the rhythm of games, providing energy and pace against tired defenders. It was frustrating for him, but Guardiola has always said that City players must wait their turn, must prove themselves in training, and must take chances when they come. That Carabao Cup start was one of those chances. And he took it. He didn’t just score, he showed confidence, hunger, and a desire to fight for his place. Guardiola saw it. The fans saw it. And most importantly, Savinho himself felt it. That moment kissing the badge was his way of saying he still believes in Manchester City, and Manchester City still believes in him.
Now, the new contract talks represent the next step. The details are not yet public, but it is expected to include a pay rise and a longer-term commitment that ties him down during his prime years. This is City’s way of rewarding him, of showing him that even if he has to wait for more minutes, he is part of the future. And for Savinho, it is a chance to settle, to silence the rumours, and to focus on becoming a starter. Because with Grealish out of the picture, with Cherki injured, and with City needing more creativity after De Bruyne’s departure, the opportunity is there. The only question is whether he can grab it and hold onto it.
But football is never just about contracts and goals. It is about feelings, about moments. When Savinho posted that picture of him kissing the badge, it was more than a social media update. It was a statement. A statement to Tottenham, who tried but failed to take him. A statement to the fans, who doubted his loyalty after the summer rumours. A statement to his teammates, who now know he is ready to fight alongside them. And a statement to himself, a reminder that he belongs at the top level, at Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola guiding him.
Looking at the bigger picture, this story reflects the way Manchester City operate. They don’t panic, they don’t rush, and they don’t allow other clubs to dictate their future. They could have sold Savinho for £60 million and used that money elsewhere. But Guardiola insisted. He sees things others don’t. He saw that with Bernardo Silva when people thought he was finished. He saw that with Riyad Mahrez when fans doubted him. And now he sees it with Savinho. The boy from Brazil is not just another player. He is part of the next chapter at Manchester City.
The fans will now wait to see if Savinho’s promise turns into reality. Will he step into Grealish’s shoes and make that left wing his own? Will he rise to the challenge of competing with Cherki, Foden, and Doku for attacking spots? Will he score the big goals in the big games? Nobody knows yet. But what is clear is that the faith Guardiola and the club have shown is giving him the platform to try. Tottenham may have failed to get him, but in truth, this was not just a defeat for them, it was a warning. Manchester City do not let go of players they believe in.
For now, Savinho will focus on the pitch. The Huddersfield game gave him his first goal of the season, and Swansea await in the Carabao Cup next. Each match is a chance to prove why City kept him. Each goal is a step closer to silencing the doubters. And each performance will remind Tottenham of what they missed out on. The new contract is coming, the love from the fans is growing, and the path is open. What seemed like an uncertain future in the summer now looks like the start of something powerful.
In the end, Savinho’s story is about belief—belief from Guardiola, belief from the club, belief from teammates, and belief in himself. The message he posted, the kiss on the badge, the word “DEUS”—all of it tells us one thing. He is not leaving. He is not running from competition. He is ready to fight for Manchester City, ready to write his story at the Etihad. Tottenham tried, money tried, rumours tried. But the sky stayed blue.
