Tottenham Hotspur’s summer transfer window has been one of the most dramatic in recent memory, but early results left fans deeply uncertain about the club’s direction.
A 3-0 defeat to Brentford, followed by a laboured first half against Championship side Charlton Athletic, gave supporters plenty of reason for concern heading into the second round of the League Cup.
Everything changed when Mikey Moore broke the deadlock, opening the floodgates in emphatic fashion as Spurs ran out commanding 5-1 winners.
Dominic Solanke, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies and debutant Savio all got on the scoresheet in a second half that offered a far more encouraging picture of what Roberto De Zerbi is building in north London.
Spurs only confirmed the signing of Savinho on Tuesday afternoon, yet De Zerbi wasted no time integrating the Brazilian, naming him in the squad for the Charlton clash just 24 hours later.
Coming off the bench with just under 20 minutes remaining, Savio made an immediate and devastating impact that had supporters buzzing about what is to come this season.
One of the bigger concerns surrounding his arrival had been his goal return, having found the net just seven times across 84 games for Manchester City, but he addressed that instantly with a brilliant finish at the near post.
Savio cut inside, darted past a defender and slammed the ball home in a manner that prompted a celebration more fitting of a cup final winner than a second-round League Cup substitute appearance.
He registered a goal and an assist in just 19 minutes of action, completing four progressive carries and creating two key passes in an eye-catching cameo that will have delighted De Zerbi.
A busy window is now culminating in yet more business, with Savio’s former Manchester City colleague Omar Marmoush also having put pen to paper at the club this week.
Despite that double addition, Tottenham’s recruitment team are targeting one further forward signing before the transfer window closes, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo emerging as the most likely arrival.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano declared in a Thursday afternoon YouTube video that “Tottenham and Manchester City are in constant contact to understand the situation,” while also referencing that Gakpo has already agreed personal terms with the Londoners.
Gakpo is reportedly valued at £75m, which would represent another marquee investment but one that could pay dividends immediately, much like Savio has already demonstrated.
The 27-year-old Dutchman was a central figure in Liverpool’s title-winning season under Arne Slot, scoring 18 times in all competitions in 2024/25, and arrives with a Premier League record of 33 goals in 128 top-flight appearances.
His experience and consistency would provide a significant contrast to Mathys Tel, who has shown flashes of quality but remains frustratingly inconsistent in front of goal.
Tel caught the eye against Charlton by successfully completing six dribbles in pre-season and scoring a free-kick against Sydney FC, but his end product continues to concern observers.
Against Charlton in the League Cup, Tel completed just one of six dribble attempts and won only two duels, adding to a modest four-goal tally from last season that raises serious questions about his place in the starting eleven.
Gakpo’s arrival would likely push Tel further down the pecking order, just as Savio’s presence will inevitably affect Moore’s opportunities for first-team minutes.
If Spurs can get a similar tune out of Gakpo as Liverpool did in their title-winning campaign, the Dutchman would be a cracking acquisition to round off what is shaping up to be a transformative summer at Tottenham Hotspur.