Abbi Summers: Jury is out on Savinho but one transfer is a no-brainer for me

Tottenham have been urged to consider signing England star Marcus Rashford instead of pursuing a move for Savinho.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side remain interested in a deal for the Manchester City winger.

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Savinho has told Manchester City he wants to join Spurs, talkSPORT understands.

The 22-year-old was also keen on the move last summer amid previous interest, but remained at the Etihad Stadium.

He remains a leading target for Spurs, but any potential deal is dependant on the City board changing their stance.

The arrival of another winger could allow Savinho to leave the club before the transfer window closes, though.

Talks between City and Spurs have been ongoing since the early part of the summer.

However, Tottenham broadcaster Abbi Summers remains on the fence over Savinho’s potential arrival in north London.

She assessed Spurs’ interest on the latest episode of talkSPORT’s Inside Spurs alongside Majestic and Sonny Snelling.

Savinho signed for City two summers ago, before penning a new six-year deal last October through to 2031.

Savinho is not ‘Prem proven’

Asked if the Brazil international is still unproven, Summers admitted: “Yes, I was actually having that conversation yesterday with a City fan about him because I was like, we are so hellbent on getting Savinho and I just need to know why.

“I’m not disputing it. Obviously, there’s data there that will back it up. Everything is done by data now. So, they obviously think he’s the best option and fit for Spurs.”

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Since joining City, Savinho has scored seven goals and added 16 assists in 84 appearances.

However, he was limited to just 14 starts in all competitions under Pep Guardiola last season.

Summers added: “I would say that first season, decent enough return, but look, he’s still young. He’s not always been first-choice and featured loads for City.

“I think I’m kind of with Sonny on ‘proof will be in the pudding’ with it. I think him coming to Spurs, having a fresh start, obviously he’ll get more game time.

“Maybe there’s a player in there that just hasn’t really developed yet. My fear with that is that we tend to always have players that haven’t quite developed yet.

“Can’t always cross a ball, can’t always beat a man. Ball retention is not always the strongest point.

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“So my thing is I would have liked someone that is proven. Yes, he’s ‘Prem proven’ to an extent, but he’s not ‘Prem proven’ enough for me.”

Rashford deal a ‘no-brainer’

Summers remains keen for Spurs to strengthen in the left-wing position ahead of the new season, though.

Wilson Odobert is not expected to return from injury until at least November, whilst fellow wingers Mikey Moore and Manor Solomon were both out on loan last season.

As a result, Summers has hailed a move for Rashford as a ‘no-brainer’ amid his uncertain future at Manchester United.

When asked if she would go for the England forward over Savinho, she replied: “Yes, yes I would. That’s a no-brainer to me, but I think maybe the wages is where that would be an issue.

“I mean, Rashford might not want to come, first and foremost, and want to fight for his place under (Michael) Carrick, but to me I would.”

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Summers continued: “I would much rather go for Marcus Rashford. I think in terms of what he’s done over the course of his career, I think he’s been brilliant for the most part.

“I think it’s easy for us to get wrapped up in maybe the last couple seasons or where it hasn’t always been going so great at United.

“But I think he is much better as an option. Plus the output and what he can bring, especially when he’s got the freedom and the confidence.

“I just would have preferred to go for a player of that profile, but maybe the wages would be a stumbling block on that.”

Rashford won the LaLiga title on loan at Barcelona last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in 49 outings across all competitions.

The 28-year-old was subsequently part of the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, scoring once as they finished third in North America.

He is set to return to United training this summer, with two years remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford.

Where should Spurs strengthen?

The left-wing position is one of three in which Summers still wants De Zerbi to strengthen before the end of the summer.

Spurs’ midfield has already been bolstered by the additions of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Meanwhile, Jan Paul van Hecke has arrived from Brighton along with free transfers for fellow defender Marcos Senesi and Andrew Robertson.

Revealing where else Spurs need to strengthen, Summers explained: “I’m looking for that next area, that key area for me to be happy as someone on the left, a striker and I think we need a No.10 as well.

“I appreciate we’ve got Xavi Simons, but Xavi Simons is going to miss a huge chunk of the season.

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“Obviously James Maddison is super injury prone and, please God, he stays fit this year, but I don’t think we can take that chance.

“(Dejan) Kulusevski, who can also play in the 10, we don’t even know what’s going on with Kulusevski, let’s be honest.

“So, yes, I think those three are very important, but the Savinho thing, to be confirmed.”

Xavi Simons is set to be sidelined until February after rupturing his ACL at the backend of last season.

He is joined by Dejan Kulusevski, who missed the entirety of the previous campaign with a knee injury of his own.

James Maddison returned to action in April after a torn ACL, but was limited to three substitute appearances totalling 34 minutes.