Roberto De Zerbi has addressed Richarlison’s potential Tottenham exit, with Brazilian side Vasco submitting an opening bid ahead of Saturday’s deadline in South America.
In the last few days, there has been a lot of coverage on the future of Richarlison following two failed transfers this summer.
A move to Everton fell through on the Premier League’s deadline day despite Spurs reaching an agreement with the Toffees that was expected to see Iliman Ndiaye move to north London.
Following those efforts, another move collapsed, this time to Trabzonspor in Turkey, who were keen on signing Richarlison and even tripling his salary.
Roberto De Zerbi has since commented on the forward’s future, stating earlier this month: “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 nothing 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.”
Roberto De Zerbi opens up on whether Richarlison would leave Tottenham
Richarlison’s search for a new club has continued, with Vasco da Gama in Brazil the latest side showing interest in the Brazilian.
The Tottenham number nine is said to have even given the green light to a move to South America, but a transfer is not entirely straightforward.
Vasco’s initial plan was to take Richarlison on loan, but FIFA’s loan rules, which cap the number of players a club can send outside their federation to six, mean that the Brazilian cannot be loaned out. Spurs have since communicated this to Vasco.
Roberto De Zerbi has once again opened up on the future of Richarlison, this time revealing whether or not the centre-forward would be sold.
He told football.london: “I do not know. I do not know. It is not my job. All I can say is that I know what the club has done for Richarlison and what Richarlison has done for the club in the last few months. He knows, his agent knows, the club knows, better than you. Much better.”
Spurs valuation drops as Richarlison explores drastic options
Spurs valued Richarlison at £40 million during the summer and even rejected a bid from Everton that fell below their valuation.
However, with Vasco not being financially buoyant, Tottenham are now understood to rate Richarlison at £17.1 million.
The Brazilian outfit are said to be exploring creative ways to get Richarlison to Brazil before the transfer window slams shut on Saturday morning in South America.
The Spurs number nine is also working on his end, with reports from yesterday revealing that Richarlison is considering taking legal action against Spurs as he contemplates terminating his contract.
Richarlison has less than a year on his current Spurs deal, which is set to expire in the summer of 2027, while the forward earns £90,000 a week at Tottenham.