Richarlison has been linked with a return to Everton this summer and the Brazilian has now released an angry statement.
Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Tottenham Hotspu
Richarlison has hit out at the negotiations involving his move to Everton. (Image: Getty Images)
Tottenham striker Richarlison has issued an extraordinary statement accusing those involved in a proposed transfer to Everton of souring negotiations. A deal will no longer take place and a secondary move taking Toffees winger Iliman Ndiaye to Spurs has been plunged into doubt.
Ndiaye's switch is a separate arrangement but Manchester City have accelerated attempts to land the £60million forward, having been turned down by Liverpool for Cody Gakpo. Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Richarlison wanted to leave the club on Sunday and said: " Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave."
The Brazilian took to social media on Sunday with the message: "I am the villain in many stories that are poorly told."
Reports emerged suggesting Richarlison had been unable to reach an agreement with his former club despite his fondness for the Toffees, and now the Brazil striker has issued a lengthier statement on Instagram, making it unequivocally clear that only he will determine what happens next in his career — though he does wish to return to Everton.
"After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that NEVER AGAIN will anyone decide my future for me. I went through a lot of bad things, and almost all of them happened because decisions were made by other people. Pressure, threats, retaliation - none of that scares me. I've been through far worse, believe me," he said.
"I've always made it clear, every time I had the chance, that leaving for another club would only happen if it was also good for the club. If it wasn't, I would never accept it... just like I didn't accept it when everything was going badly and they needed me. I stayed and gave everything. So I hope they treat my situation with the same respect I've always shown Spurs and everyone who worked with me during this period. Just don't try to decide for me."
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Richarlison, shown with new Tottenham signing Savio, has spoken about the speculation surrounding him
Richarlison, shown with new Tottenham signing Savio, has spoken about the speculation surrounding him (Image: Getty)
He subsequently added: "If they reach an agreement between Spurs and Everton, I will return to my beloved club. My intention was to go back to the place where I was very happy, yes, but the negotiations happened only in the way certain people wanted, and it will no longer be like that. Despite all this turmoil, I am under contract at Spurs and will remain at the club's disposal."