I'm wanted by Spurs for big money – Cristiano Ronaldo thinks I'm better than Lamine Yamal

Cristiano Ronaldo once hailed Tottenham Hotspur's surprise transfer target Savinho as the best young player in world football.

The Manchester City forward, who has emerged as a shock target for Spurs, was a standout performer in an otherwise lacklustre season for the Citizens after his move from Troyes in 2024. Despite being given 21 Premier Leaguestarts by Pep Guardiola in his debut campaign, Savinho's output often left much to be desired.

However, he proved to be a threat on both wings for the former Barcelona boss, contributing three goals and 13 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions. Tottenham have initiated discussions with City over a potential deal for the 21-year-old Brazilian.

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This news might come as a surprise to Ronaldo, who overlooked Lamine Yamal to vote for Savinho for the 2024 Kopa Award - which recognises the best young talent in world football - at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Ronaldo's choice differed from fellow former Ballon d'Or winners Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Lionel Messi. Messi voted for Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Alejandro Garnacho.

Modric also put Yamal as his first option, but selected Arda Guler and Joao Neves in second and third, while Benzema chose Yamal, Guler and Garnacho. In the end, Yamal rather predictably claimed the award following his sensational breakthrough during Spain's victorious Euro 2024 campaign.

However, one of the ceremony's main talking points was former Real Madrid star Ronaldo ranking Savinho ahead of Yamal, placing the Barcelona sensation as his runner-up choice, with Guler completing his top three. His selection demonstrates just how highly Ronaldo regards Savinho, whilst also indicating Spurs could secure one of the summer's standout acquisitions should they finalise a deal for the South American.

The north London outfit have already brought in Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Luka Vuscovic and Kota Takai, alongside securing a loan move for Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich. Guardiola, meanwhile, similarly backed Savinho for stardom during the recent Club World Cup.

Nevertheless, his tenure coaching Savinho could soon conclude, as the attacker is believed to be open to relocating to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, provided a transfer fee can be negotiated. Given Guardiola's recent remarks regarding Savinho's capabilities, City might find themselves ruing his departure, should he indeed exit the club.

Following the forward's strike in City's 5-2 triumph over Juventus, Guardiola said: "He is a player with incredible potential. We cannot forget he's so young.

"He needs to make the final third more decisive in aspects like the goal he has done in the last game. He has to do it more. The last goal is more and more complicated and difficult to score than the previous ones - one against ones, the 'keeper, that maybe last season he missed.

"The moment he will make this step, which will come in a natural way because he has incredible individual quality, when it arrives for his commitment to say I want to do it, I want to be decisive, I want to score goals and make more assists, he will become an extraordinary player.

"He can play on both sides, right and left, he's so fast, he understands tactically the movements he has, so that's why he can play with us."