Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has revealed the difference between Lucas Bergvall’s situation and Richarlison’s amid ongoing Spurs exit talks.
Richarlison looks to have had a falling-out with Tottenham Hotspur after failing to secure a deadline-day move on Tuesday.
The north London club came close to landing Iliman Ndiaye after reaching an agreement with Everton in a move that was expected to see Richarlison head the other way.
However, the deal fell through as Richarlison opted against an Everton reunion, and then took to social media to slam those trying to force him to join the Merseyside club.
Roberto De Zerbi has since come out to reveal that nothing is going to change from his end in his dealings with the Brazilian, who supposedly asked to depart north London at the start of the transfer window.
Giving a breakdown of how things transpired, De Zerbi said: “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.
“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 is not my business, it is the job of the club. I cannot say anything because I did not decide anything.
“The message of Richarlison from the beginning of pre-season has been very clear and I accepted that. I do not know if there is an offer from Turkey. I do not know if the club accepted this offer. I know there was an offer before the end of the transfer market but he did not accept that offer. For me nothing changes.”
Lucas Bergvall also asked to leave Tottenham this summer
The Tottenham boss made it clear during the summer that the club was set to part ways with players who were not one hundred per cent certain of remaining in north London.
That stance led to a mass exodus of Spurs stars, with the likes of Cristian Romero, Djed Spence, Kevin Danso and even young talent Luka Vuskovic being sold.
However, one player who did ask to leave remains at the club, and that is Lucas Bergvall. It emerged back in the summer that Bergvall was considering his future following the signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, as he feared he would not be handed enough game time.
Speaking to football.london, De Zerbi has now revealed that Bergvall’s situation and that of Richarlison are very different.
Asked what the difference is, he said: “After 10 days in the pre-season, Lucas came and his agent as well went to Johan Lange to say, ‘Lucas is happy to stay,’ and Lucas showed me he wanted to stay.
“I would like to play with him, I would like to put the focus on him because he is another big, big in terms of the potential of the player. He is another big player.”
Richarlison faces uncertain Spurs future
It is clear Richarlison definitely wants out of Tottenham, with interest now coming from Turkish side Trabzonspor.
The Turkish club are set to offer the Brazilian triple his wages at Spurs, with the forward even agreeing personal terms with Trabzonspor. But Tottenham are not open to letting Richarlison go on the cheap.
Several offers from Trabzonspor have been rejected as they fell below Spurs’ valuation. A move to Turkey is now very unlikely, as Trabzonspor would have to sell a foreign player before they can sign Richarlison this summer, before their transfer window slams shut 10 pm UK time today.