Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt has spoken openly about the club's willingness to bring the striker back to Brazil
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Richarlison has struggled for form and fitness since leaving Everton. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
It would be fair to say it's been tough going for Richarlison since he left Everton for Tottenham Hotspur in 2022. Now one of his former clubs wants to help reignite his career.
During his time with the Blues, the forward developed into a crucial performer for both club and country. Richarlison was a huge fan favourite at Goodison Park and a consistent source of goals at a time when the team struggled.
Eventually Everton had to sell the Brazilian in order to improve their financial situation and better fall in line with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. Spurs landed him for £60 million.
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However, injury issues and fluctuations in form have ruined Richarlison's time in the capital so far. After missing two months of the current campaign already due to a groin problem, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou suggested the 27-year-old would now be out for the 'long-term' due to a hamstring problem.
Postecoglou also revealed Spurs will be looking to sign another forward as a result, potentially casting doubts over Richarlison's future at the club.
After links to Saudi Pro League clubs in the summer, reports in Brazil suggested that Fluminense, who sold Richarlison to Watford in 2017, wanted to bring him back to his homeland. Speaking to Globo Esporte (h/t Sport Witness), the club's president Mario Bittencourt confirmed the interest is real.
"Tottenham replied that they are open to offers, but at the moment they have no interest in getting rid of the player," he said. "They are willing to listen. We're also talking to the player to see if he's interested in coming back.
"What is concrete is that we have expressed a formal interest in Richarlison. We know how difficult it is to bring him in. We believe that he may want to be close to the Brazilian national team, to return home to the club where he excelled. I have a close relationship with him. I was vice-president of football when he arrived.
"I brought Richarlison in as vice-president of football. We've created a relationship, not a friendship, but a strong one. We sent a first document to the English club, still without an offer, but asking if they would like to negotiate."