Richarlison’s future at Tottenham is more uncertain than ever after his proposed move to Trabzonspor fell apart.
The Brazilian remains under contract in north London, but there appears to be no route back into Roberto De Zerbi’s immediate plans.
Richarlison was left out of Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad after making it clear that he wanted to leave during the summer.
De Zerbi has also revealed that the 29-year-old rejected the chance to extend his contract, and is now training away from the senior group and cannot play in the league before the squad lists are updated in January.
It is a dramatic change for a striker who finished last season as Tottenham’s leading Premier League scorer.
Richarlison’s career in numbers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
2015 | América Mineiro | 24 | 9 | 4 | 1,843 |
2016 | Fluminense | 31 | 4 | 1 | 1,705 |
2017 | Fluminense | 36 | 15 | 4 | 2,970 |
2017/18 | Watford | 41 | 5 | 4 | 3,028 |
2018/19 | Everton | 38 | 14 | 2 | 2,809 |
2019/20 | Everton | 41 | 15 | 5 | 3,501 |
2020/21 | Everton | 40 | 13 | 3 | 3,351 |
2021/22 | Everton | 33 | 11 | 5 | 2,751 |
2022/23 | Tottenham | 35 | 3 | 4 | 1,467 |
2023/24 | Tottenham | 31 | 12 | 4 | 1,737 |
2024/25 | Tottenham | 24 | 5 | 2 | 942 |
2025/26 | Tottenham | 43 | 12 | 5 | 2,651 |
2026/27 | Tottenham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 68 |
Career club total | 418 | 118 | 43 | 28,823 | |
Richarlison wanted to return to Everton and the two clubs held talks during the closing stages of the English window.
However, the deal was linked to Tottenham signing Iliman Ndiaye from Everton. Man City then moved for Ndiaye and the wider agreement collapsed, leaving Richarlison at Spurs.
Trabzonspor quickly offered him another escape route.
Reports claimed that Richarlison accepted their contract proposal, which would have given him a major pay rise. Mohamed Salah and Fabinho also spoke to the forward about joining them at the Süper Lig club.
Tottenham were willing to discuss a sale, although there remained a gap between their valuation and Trabzonspor’s offers.
The Turkish deadline passed without an agreement and Richarlison was left facing the possibility of spending several months without senior football.
TEAMtalk has now revealed why the transfer failed and what could happen next.
Tottenham devise new Richarlison exit map with talks ongoing as agents push alternative plan
According to the report, Trabzonspor had no available foreign player place after completing a move for Franculino Dju from Midtjylland.
They needed to move another overseas player out of their squad but were unable to do so before the window closed.
Richarlison’s representatives and Tottenham are therefore exploring other destinations.
Saudi Arabia is said to be the most advanced possibility, with several clubs showing interest and the country’s window remaining open until October.
Agents are said to be working hard to find a new club too and are already in talks with a few Saudi sides over a potential deal.
Discussions have also taken place over possible moves to Brazil and Portugal, with the Brazilian window due to close next Friday, while clubs in Portugal have until September 15 to complete their business.
Either destination would reportedly require Tottenham to approve a loan or find another financial solution relating to the final guaranteed year of Richarlison’s contract.
Tottenham strengthened their attack with Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk before the English deadline, while Dominic Solanke and Mathys Tel also remain available to De Zerbi.
That leaves Richarlison on the outside regardless of his importance last season, and TEAMtalk expects the striker to find another club, but the time available in Brazil and Portugal is already running down.
A Saudi move could keep the door open for longer, but what appears certain is that both sides need a solution.
Tottenham do not want a major earner sitting outside the squad, while Richarlison needs regular football after pushing so strongly to leave.
