The summer transfer window is always full of surprises, drama, rumours, and last-minute twists that can change the future of football clubs. Manchester City are no strangers to this drama. In fact, under Pep Guardiola, City have become one of the most powerful clubs in world football, capable of signing almost any player they want and holding onto their biggest stars when the rest of Europe tries to steal them away. But this summer of 2025 brought one particular story that shows just how strong Pep Guardiola’s influence still is inside the Etihad walls.
This story is about a young Brazilian winger called Savinho. A boy who grew up with football in his veins, a player who was brought to City with so much expectation, and a talent Guardiola believes can become one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League. Yet, before Savinho could even lace up his boots for City this season, he was already at the centre of a transfer storm. Barcelona wanted him. Tottenham wanted him. Offers were made, conversations were started, but then something happened. Pep Guardiola stepped in personally and blocked everything. He told Manchester City not to negotiate. He told them Savinho was not leaving. He made sure of it.
To understand the weight of this decision, we need to go back to how Manchester City approached this summer window. The Blues were busy from start to finish, moving players in and out while also competing in the Club World Cup in the United States. Before the tournament even began, City had signed some important new names. Tijjani Reijnders arrived to bring energy and control in midfield. Rayan Cherki, the French wonderkid, was added to provide creativity and flair. And then came one of the biggest signings of the entire summer—goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, a Champions League winner and one of the most famous goalkeepers in the world.
But as always with City, signings meant departures too. Ederson, the legendary Brazilian keeper who had defined an era at the Etihad, said his emotional goodbye. Jack Grealish, a player City paid £100 million for, was loaned out to Everton in a move that shocked many fans. It was a summer of changes, a summer where Guardiola was once again rebuilding his squad for the battles ahead.
Savinho joined Manchester City in the summer of 2024 for a fee of £30.8 million. At just 21 years old, he was seen as one for the future. But everyone knew his potential was massive. Fast, skilful, fearless—he was the kind of winger Guardiola loves to coach. Still, injuries slowed him down. During pre-season this year, he picked up a problem that meant he has not featured yet for City in the Premier League. While he worked on his recovery, other clubs were watching closely. Barcelona were the first to make their move. Deco, the sporting director of Barcelona and a legendary player himself, personally contacted City’s sporting director Hugo Viana. Barca wanted Savinho. They believed he could be their next big Brazilian star, following in the footsteps of Ronaldinho and Neymar. Tottenham were next. Spurs made a big push, even placing a £60 million bid on the table.
It looked like City were about to cash in on a player who had not yet played a proper Premier League game. From a business perspective, doubling your money in just one year seemed like a tempting deal. But then Pep Guardiola stepped in. He blocked everything. According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Guardiola told Hugo Viana directly not to negotiate with Barcelona or Tottenham. He insisted that Savinho was staying. Guardiola had seen enough of the winger to believe in him, and he was convinced that this was the season when Savinho would finally explode into the Premier League.
Guardiola’s decision was not just about money. It was about vision, about trust, and about his own authority at Manchester City. He believes in developing players. He believes in giving them time. For him, letting Savinho go would have been a mistake. The Catalan coach told the City hierarchy clearly: do not sell, do not negotiate, keep him here.
When asked about the situation in a press conference last month, Guardiola’s words carried even more weight. He said: “If they want to leave, they will come to me. If they want to leave, they will knock on my door. Whether it’s Tottenham in that case or any other club, a player should call the club. I am only concerned right now that Savinho will be with us for the rest of the season and hopefully many years, because of the potential he has at 21. He has to improve in final positions but he is an extraordinary player. At the end, as always, the desire of the players is above everything but then they have to find an agreement with the club. If they don’t make an agreement, the player will be here because the club spends money on those players.”
Those words show everything. Guardiola made it clear: Savinho is not going anywhere unless he himself wants to leave, and even then, only if the club agrees. For now, he is Manchester City’s player, and Guardiola wants to shape him into one of the best.
It is important to understand just how big this decision was. Barcelona were desperate. Tottenham were serious. £60 million is a lot of money, even for a club like City. Many managers would have said yes. Many sporting directors would have cashed in. But not Guardiola. He blocked it because he saw what others didn’t. He saw potential. He saw a future.
And now, as Savinho prepares to return from his injury, City fans are beginning to see why Guardiola fought so hard to keep him. The Brazilian has been working hard behind the scenes, preparing to step into a team that already has attacking stars like Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and Julian Alvarez. But Guardiola knows there is space for him. He knows Savinho can bring something different, something special.
This story also highlights something else: Guardiola’s absolute control at Manchester City. Few managers in the world have the power to tell a club not to sell a player when big money offers are coming in. But Guardiola is not just any manager. He is the architect of Manchester City’s modern era, the man who has delivered title after title, the man whose opinion is trusted above everyone else’s. When he speaks, City listen.
For the fans, this was another reminder of why Guardiola is loved so much at the Etihad. Supporters want to see young, exciting players given a chance. They don’t want to see talents sold before they even wear the shirt properly. By keeping Savinho, Guardiola showed that he still values footballing vision over financial gain.
Of course, the pressure will now be on Savinho. When he returns to full fitness, expectations will be sky-high. The fans will want to see what all the fuss was about. Guardiola will want to see progress. And rivals will be watching closely to see if City were right to reject £60 million. The Premier League is a tough place, and not every Brazilian winger adapts quickly. But Guardiola believes Savinho is different.
The story of this transfer window will be remembered for many things. The signings of Donnarumma, Reijnders, and Cherki. The departures of Grealish and Ederson. But most of all, it will be remembered for the moment Pep Guardiola blocked the exit of a player who has not yet played a minute this season. A player who could, if things go right, become the next jewel in Manchester City’s crown.
