Competition for Richarlison’s signature is heating up, with Premier League clubs Everton and Fulham joining Turkish sides Galatasaray and Trabzonspor in the race to sign the Tottenham forward.
Since his involvement with the Tottenham Under-21s close to a month ago, Richarlison has barely had a kick of a ball in a competitive match.
That is because he has been frozen out at Spurs, having not been included in Roberto De Zerbi’s 25-man Premier League squad.
But with the winter transfer window not too far away, the Brazilian continues to attract interest from a host of clubs.
Roberto De Zerbi and Richarlison Tottenham
Credit: @thatfootballphotog / Instagram
Everton and Fulham join race for Tottenham outcast Richarlison
According to ESPN Brazil journalist Bruno Andrade, Everton and Fulham are the latest sides showing a keen interest in signing Richarlison.
The Premier League clubs are now in competition with Turkish sides Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, who have been making more lucrative offers, potentially paying Richarlison even more than Spurs do. Tottenham have slashed their price tag to just £8.4m ahead of January.
Fulham and Everton, on the other hand, cannot offer such a deal. Of course, Everton were in the running to sign Richarlison last summer in what looked like a double deal, with Iliman Ndiaye set to join Spurs. However, that move fell through.
And while they still retain an interest in their former forward, it is explained that Richarlison is now focused on the financial side of things and is currently favouring a move to Turkey.
Trabzonspor were also in the running for Richarlison last summer, and Spurs Web relayed that the Turkish outfit was willing to triple the Brazilian’s wages.
Richarlison is on £90,000 a week, and tripling that will leave him on £270,000 a week should a move to Turkey materialise. Meanwhile, Everton and Fulham cannot offer the forward what he earns at Tottenham.
Richarlison’s desire for more money is linked to the issue he has with his private island – a property he has lost to Brazilian presidential frontrunner, Flavio Bolsonaro.
Spurs in race against time over Richarlison
The journalist also revealed that Richarlison is without an agent, having terminated his agreement with CAA Base, which means clubs who want to sign him have to contact him directly.
That, though, has led to a flood of interest from agents who want to represent the Brazilian, but Richarlison is strict in his demands, only looking to sign with an agent who can find him a club.
Andrade revealed that Richarlison’s message to representatives is straightforward: “I’ll only sign with you if you bring me an offer from a club.” It is explained any representative who turns up with a nice presentation about his future apparently will not get very far.
As for Spurs, they run the risk of losing Richarlison in January, with the forward free to sign a pre-contract with any club, as his current deal in north London ends in the summer of 2027.
That is an avenue Richarlison could well explore as he looks to get back to playing competitive games.
However, the Brazilian could still take legal action against Tottenham. Spurs Web relayed that Richarlison had threatened legal action back in September, but the basis for such action was not particularly strong, leaving Tottenham in a strong position.
That, though, could change heading into the new year. It is explained by the journalist, who spoke to people within Tottenham’s legal department, that there is growing concern about what happens if Richarlison remains sidelined into the new year.
It is stated that the player could have a stronger case for taking legal action and seeking unilateral termination, and while that will not guarantee victory, the risk for Tottenham will be greater than it has been over the past few months.
Spurs will have to sort out a deal for Richarlison as they “race against time” to negotiate his departure in January, rather than allow the situation to drag on.