The Telegraph’s Matt Law has revealed that Saudi Pro League clubs showed a concrete interest in signing Richarlison last summer and he suggested that they could come calling again for the Brazilian at the end of the season.
Ange Postecoglou has publicly backed Richarlison from the day he arrived at Hotspur Way and the 26-year-old is now starting to repay the Australian’s faith, having found his scoring boots over the last month.
The former Everton man has a big responsibility on his shoulders over the next few weeks since Son Heung-min is away at the Asian Cup with South Korea.
A little over a month ago, it was suggested by some sources that Saudi clubs could come calling for the Tottenham striker during the January transfer window, with the Lilywhites alleged to value the forward at £60m (90 min).
Will Richarlison move to Saudi Arabia this summer?
Law has now said that while a move this window seems unlikely for Richarlison, he insisted that he would not be surprised if the striker headed to the Middle East next summer.
The journalist told the Last Word is Spurs podcast about Tottenham’s number nine: “Right at the back end of the last summer transfer window there was some interest from Saudi Arabia. I don’t think a concrete bid was made because I think it came too late for anything really to be able to be done.
“There was some concrete interest from Saudi Arabia. That has remained and I can see at some point Richarlison moving to Saudi. Now, had you asked me two months ago I’d have said I could maybe see it for January. But the sort of story and narrative around Richy, as you say he’s scored a few goals, he seems in a better place personally, I’d now be pretty surprised.
“Although, if Saudi came in with some stupid bid, Spurs would have to look at it. I don’t get the sense that a stupid bid is about to come. I’d now be quite surprised if he went in January, albeit not completely shocked just because I know the Saudi interest is there.
“I certainly think it could be revisited in the summer and like I say, I do think there is a chance that at some point within the next 12 months, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Richarlison ended up in Saudi Arabia.”
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It is too early to speculate over whether Tottenham would consider offloading Richarlison at the end of the season. The answer may depend on the 26-year-old’s form over the next six months.
However, one would expect the Lilywhites to sign a top-quality centre-forward next summer, irrespective of whether the Brazilian stays or leaves.