Manchester City are set to cash in on Savinho. The Brazilian wideman is on the cusp of a switch to rivals Tottenham Hotspur. It’s a move that’s been 12 months in the making. Spurs were keen to land the winger last summer, but failed to convince City to sell the 22-year-old.
The north London side tried again in January, yet were unable to lure Savinho to the capital. Third time’s the charm, then. He’s not the only forward on Spurs’ radar. Omar Marmoush may also follow the former Girona man to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After strengthening in defence and midfield, attention has finally turned to the attack.
What that does mean, though, is that City need to add bodies in the final third. With Jeremy Doku also absent owing to a calf issue, it adds to the pressure to sign a new winger. Two of their top five dribblers per 90 last season are expected to miss the opening weekend meeting with Bournemouth. According to David Ornstein, Allan Elias has emerged as a potential target for Enzo Maresca’s side.
The 22-year-old currently plies his trade for Brasileirao side Palmeiras. The Brazilian giants are keen to retain Allan’s services. He has a €100m release clause in his contract. City will be hoping to negotiate a lower fee for the young wideman, who has scored four goals and provided two assists in the 2026 Brasileirao campaign.
How would Allan fit in at Man City?
City boss Enzo Maresca is set to use a 4-2-3-1 setup for the 2026/27 campaign, with the wide forwards expected to hold the width. As such, Allan would need to tinker with his game in order to suit the style.
Indeed, Allan is used to starting from the right flank before cutting onto his left foot and going for goal. 30 of his 35 shots have been with his left foot. Two of four goals have followed the same pattern. As such, he’ll need to adopt an unfamiliar approach in order to fit Maresca’s system.
This would undoubtedly hinder his efforts to adjust to the rigours of Premier League football. Transitioning from Brazil to England is certainly doable. Just look at Rayan and Bournemouth. The Cherries, though, opted to bring out the best in the former Vasco da Gama man and use him from the right flank.
It means that Rayan is able to maximise his willingness to cut inside. Allan, meanwhile, would instead use his left foot to put the ball into the box rather than go for goal. This could be an issue for the forward. Allan, after all, has managed a cross accuracy of just 6.7% in the Brasileirao this season. He’s made just one accurate cross in 20 appearances.
Of course, much of that is due to Allan’s desire to go for goal from the right flank rather than try to pick out a teammate from wide, evident in that he’s attempted just 15 crosses.
Ghosts past opponents with ease
What stands out about Allan, however, is his desire to get the better of a teammate. His dribbling ability is arguably his greatest strength. Only Henry Mosquera (68) has completed more take ons than Allan (46) in the 2026 Brasileirao season. His close control combined with his acceleration means he’s incredibly difficult to shake off the ball once he’s gained a head of steam.
Despite his position and style of play, Allan is being dispossessed just 1.6 times per 90. For comparison’s sake, Jeremy Doku was dispossessed 2.5 times per 90 in the Premier League last season. Antoine Semenyo was done so 1.7 times. The issue comes from whether Allan is able to translate his game in the Brasileirao to the Premier League.
This is a further concern that would come with risking heading into the Premier League campaign with Allan as an option. He remains incredibly rough around the edges. This youthful exuberance could work in City’s favour. Should it backfire, however, then the pressure would mount on head coach Maresca.
A risk for Man City
City didn’t look great in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend. They still need to bring in at least one new face to ease the departure of Rodri and the potential exits of Savinho and Marmoush. Ayyoub Bouaddi is set to sign from Lille, and while the teenager is younger than Allan, the Moroccan already has ample top-flight and European experience.
Allan would be expected to up sticks and adjust seamlessly to Premier League football, that in itself a risk. There would be ample pressure on the wing-wizard to nail down a starting berth from the outset given the expected lack of personnel at Maresca’s disposal.
Unless City can negotiate a lower fee and bring in a more experienced head that would be a better fit for Maresca’s system, then Allan is probably one they should look to avoid pursuing in the final days of the summer transfer window.
