Roberto De Zerbi praised Savio’s “energy, imagination and quality in wide positions” after the Brazilian winger completed an £85million move to Tottenham.
Standard Sport understands that Spurs will pay an up-front fee of £75m with a guaranteed £5m in add-ons and a further £5m due in additional add-ons for the 22-year-old, who has been a longstanding target for the club.
LIVE BLOG: All the latest transfer news and rumours
Spurs have been in desperate need of attacking reinforcements this summer, and their issues up front were exposed as they fell to a 3-0 defeat away to Brentford on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Starting with Mathys Tel and 19-year-old Mikey Moore on the wing, Spurs lacked directness, pace or inventiveness in the wide channels, and Brentford’s full-backs took advantage, pinning Spurs back and getting on the front foot.
De Zerbi hopes Savio will remedy these issues, making Spurs more unpredictable and providing a threat in behind, and says he believes the 13-cap Brazil international has the ability to change games.
"Savio is a player who brings energy, imagination and quality in wide positions. He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity,” De Zerbi said.
"We’re very pleased to have him with us, and I’m looking forward to working with him, helping him continue to grow and seeing him bring his personality to the team.”
Sporting director Johan Lange added that Savio, who struggled for consistent minutes at City last season, will be a good stylistic fit for Spurs’ system.
"Savio is someone who has been on our radar for a while and I'm delighted that he is now a Tottenham Hotspur player,” Lange continued.
"He has already shown his quality at the highest level, and we believe his ability, style and mentality will be a great fit for the squad we are building here.
"I know he will excite our supporters every time he gets on the ball and I'm looking forward to watching his development under Roberto's coaching."
