It’s been anything but a quiet start to life at Tottenham for Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian walked into a club on the brink of relegation, and a summer of upheaval in the transfer market has done little to improve results, with Spurs among the busiest clubs in the Premier League as they looked to reshape the squad to fit his ideas but yet to pick up a Premier League win this season.
The one area the Lilywhites failed to revamp their ranks was in the central striker position, with Omar Marmoush more of a versatile forward than an out and out number nine, but there is still no room for Richarlison, whose presence at the club has created friction after multiple exit possibilities fell through late in the window.
The Brazilian told Tottenham he wanted to leave the club this summer, but after moves to Everton and Trabzonspor collapsed, he was demoted to training with Spurs’ Under-21s and left out of the club’s Premier League squad altogether.
“It was not my decision. It is the normal decision,” said De Zerbi when quizzed last week. “I think Richarlison, he decided everything alone. He spoke with me at the beginning of pre-season. He told me his idea, his desire was to leave.
How much do Tottenham’s forwards earn? | ||
|---|---|---|
Player | Weekly wage | Contract expiry |
Omar Marmoush | £250,000 | June 30, 2027 |
Xavi Simons | £195,000 | June 30, 2030 |
Mohammed Kudus | £150,000 | June 30, 2031 |
Dominic Solanke | £140,000 | June 30, 2030 |
Savio | £120,000 | June 30, 2031 |
Dejan Kulusevski | £110,000 | June 30, 2028 |
Mykhailo Mudryk | £100,000 | June 30, 2027 |
Richarlison | £90,000 | June 30, 2027 |
Mathys Tel | £55,000 | June 30, 2031 |
Wilson Odobert | £40,000 | June 30, 2029 |
“In the end, we went to bring another striker, and like I said at the start of pre-season, I want to keep only the players who want to stay with pride and the right passion to stay here. Then, for other problems, it’s not my business. It’s the job of the club.
“I can’t say nothing, because I didn’t decide anything. The message of Richarlison from the beginning of pre-season has been very clear, and I accepted that.”
Now, Brazilian journalist Raisa Simplicio has provided the latest update on the saga, revealing that the player has notified Tottenham of his intention to file for unilateral termination with FIFA in a bid to force through a move to Brazilian club Vasco Da Gama.
Vasco are unable to sign the striker on loan due to Tottenham already meeting the quota for international loans, while they are facing a race against time to sign him in a permanent deal before the Brazilian transfer deadline on Friday.
Simon Jordan reacted to the news live on TalkSPORT on Thursday: “I think it would be tragic if they did, because it means that players could do as they want.
“They can be dreadful and have no consequence, they can have dreadful discipline, and dreadful behaviour and have no consequence behind it.”
Richarlison loophole could see Spurs contract terminated
The former Crystal Palace owner also revealed there could be a loophole that allows the 29 year-old’s request to go through.
“What they’ll be citing is some degree of sporting chance that enables him to have his contract (ripped up),” he said, explaining that there is the threat of FIFA siding with the player due to being “demoted to a different space to the contract that he signed”, which would have of course been with the first-team.
Referencing the case of Renan Lodi, who used a similar complaint to exit Al-Hilal and join Brazilian club Atlético-MG, Jordan added: “Hopefully the circumstances are not the same, and he doesn’t get to exploit a loophole.
“And if he does, then Tottenham Hotspur are fools and left themselves open to it.”
The Brazilian transfer window slams shut on Friday evening, and Football FanCast sources understand Tottenham are demanding a fee of around £20m to part ways with the striker permanently, a fee Vasco will not be able to match.
Tottenham face Everton on Saturday, and De Zerbi will hope the situation is resolved by then and he isn’t forced to answer more difficult questions at a time when his focus remains firmly on getting the season off the ground.
