Man City transfer news: ‘Guardiola is a big fan’ – City backup’s departure on hold again?

Pep Guardiola is reportedly a big admirer of one of Manchester City‘s promising squad players — despite the winger being little more than a bit-part figure under the Spaniard — and could once again stand in the way of a departure this summer.

During the last transfer window, Tottenham were ready to break their club record for Savinho, with a bid of around £73m reported. Manchester City were not opposed to the sale of the young Brazilian winger — signed for £21m in 2024 — given the substantial profit on offer. However, Guardiola, who had pushed for his arrival, ultimately came down against letting the 22-year-old go.

Savinho was subsequently handed a new contract until June 2031 last October. A sign of an important role to come? Not quite. The winger has remained very much a squad player under the Catalan.

Savinho stuck on the fringes at City

Having made 30 appearances this season with three goals and three assists, Savinho has largely been used as an impact substitute, or left out entirely for the bigger occasions. As a result, talk of a summer exit has resurfaced ahead of the window.

According to Football Insider, Savinho will not be short of suitors this summer, with Tottenham still keen on his profile. Guardiola's position on the matter, however, has not shifted. The former Barcelona boss has no intention of allowing his protege to leave and believes he will have a role to play next season.

Guardiola determined to keep hold of Savinho

‘It is obvious that Guardiola is a big fan of him, and I don't think he will rush him out of the door because he knows that Manchester City will have so many games to play next season and will therefore need a large and solid squad,' journalist Pete O'Rourke explained on Football Insider‘s Transfer Insider podcast.

The outlet also notes that Omar Marmoush — who has featured more frequently this season and contributed more decisively — is actually considered more likely to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer than the Brazilian. Guardiola looks set to block a Savinho departure for the second summer running.