How Tottenham's summer spending could reshape Manchester City's transfer window

Manchester City’s transfer activity this summer may hinge significantly on the decisions of Tottenham Hotspur — a club that only avoided relegation on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

The chain of events begins with Sandro Tonali. The Newcastle United midfielder has been linked with City, but Spurs are also in the picture under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Should Tottenham meet Newcastle’s reported £100m asking price for Tonali, the knock-on effects for City could be substantial.

Newcastle receiving that fee would, according to the reporting, give them the funds to make a formal approach to City for goalkeeper James Trafford. That deal, currently stalled in part due to Newcastle’s financial position, could suddenly become viable.

Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold, who covers the club for Football.london and the Daily Mirror, told MEN Sport that Tottenham’s ownership is prepared to invest heavily. “The Lewis family, who own Spurs, have made it clear publicly that they will back the club to kick on this summer after a couple of dreadful Premier League seasons,” Gold said. “The club are expected to make a statement signing or two and getting up to that £100m mark certainly makes a statement.”

Gold did note one significant obstacle for Tottenham in the Tonali pursuit. “Tottenham will also sell players this summer so the money will certainly be there for them to push up to Newcastle’s asking price if they choose to. What will be key is the competition up against Spurs. The north London club can provide a strong financial package for Tonali with a newly-increased wage structure, but they cannot offer him the Champions League football that others can.”

The Tonali situation also intersects with City’s plans for Savinho. The Brazilian winger has done little to hide his interest in a move to Spurs, with social media activity from both him and his representatives suggesting he is open to the switch. City may be willing sellers given Savinho’s difficulty establishing himself at the Etihad Stadium, but a £100m outlay on Tonali could limit Tottenham’s capacity to pursue him simultaneously.

Gold is not convinced Spurs will be forced to choose, however. “It feels like Spurs have been trying to sort out the defence and central midfield first but Savinho has been a long-time target for the club and De Zerbi is said to also like the player,” he said. “Ultimately it will be how realistic the price City set is compared to other wingers on the market and also maybe what [Enzo] Maresca wants to do with the Brazilian. It seems to be the case that they can push for more deals if successful [for Tonali]. We’re expecting an injection of capital from the Lewis family into the club in the near future.”

For City, a summer that was expected to be driven by their own strategic priorities may instead be shaped in part by how aggressively a newly-motivated Tottenham side moves in the market.