Tottenham forward Richarlison has come under fire for his failed transfer moves this summer, with one journalist pointing to his catastrophic handling of key situations.
Tottenham Hotspur have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just twice – their lowest tally in the opening five matches across the last three seasons.
Ironically, they did not include the one player who found the net most often last campaign in their Premier League squad.
That player is, of course, Richarlison, who has fallen out with the club after several failed transfer moves in recent weeks. Attempts to secure moves to Everton, Vasco da Gama, Trabzonspor and UAE-based side Shabab Al Ahli all collapsed, leaving the Brazilian stuck in north London until at least January.
Tottenham reject Shabab Al Ahli offers for Richarlison
Shabab Al Ahli were the latest club to make a move for Richarlison, but Spurs Web has since confirmed that Tottenham turned down their offer to sign the forward.
Richarlison himself was not particularly keen on the move, according to fresh reports from ESPN Brazil.
The forward will now have to bide his time training with the Tottenham first-team squad unless something drastic happens with Shabab Al Ahli, who have already seen two bids rejected by Spurs.
The UAE transfer window does not close until 28 September.
Speaking about Tottenham’s plans for Richarlison, journalist Bruno Andrade said: “The natural route continues to be that he stays at Tottenham until December and January, on the sidelines, training with the group but not being used.”
Richarlison does have the option of terminating his Tottenham contract – a move Spurs Web reported the Brazilian considered a few weeks ago.
That option remains on the table, but it is unlikely to succeed. Andrade explained: “The people I speak to continue saying it is very unlikely that this request for termination will go forward, because legally Richarlison is not that well supported. He has few arguments.
“Right now, Tottenham have more arguments to keep him than Richarlison has arguments to leave.”
Richarlison urged to wait until January to secure Spurs exit
Should the forward remain until January, several more options are expected to open up, as he could be signed on a pre-contract when six months remain on his current deal.
Spurs still hold an option to extend Richarlison’s contract by another year, but a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia could become realistic alternatives.
Trabzonspor already showed interest and were willing to triple Richarlison’s salary, and they could return, while other clubs in Turkey and across Europe may also enter the race.
However, Andrade is adamant that Richarlison mishandled the situation in the summer. He said: “He has made a lot of mistakes up to now, too many mistakes. The advice, the legal side, the business side. Richarlison in recent months has been, well, a catastrophe. A catastrophe.”
The journalist also believes the failed transfer to Vasco da Gama was Richarlison’s fault, adding: “More Richarlison’s fault than Tottenham’s or Vasco’s.”
Speaking on Richarlison having to wait until January, Andrade continued: “Intelligently, he has to wait until January, sign a pre-contract with whoever he wants, and the negotiation is directly with him.
“From January, he will have his contract in his own hands. Any signing-on fee goes to him, not the club. So for all the mistakes he has made, the intelligent thing now is to wait until January, sign a pre-contract with whoever he wants, and negotiate directly with them.
“This is the time for him to choose. Richarlison can look at any offer, choose between the money or the sporting project, Europe or the Middle East.”
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