The director of Vasco da Gama has shed light on what the Brazilian club were willing to do to sign Richarlison from Tottenham and why the deal fell through on deadline day.
The Brazilian’s proposed move to Vasco da Gama collapsed last Friday despite the two clubs agreeing on a transfer fee.
That was because Richarlison only wanted to make a temporary move to the club until January, but Tottenham were already at the limit of loans allowed by FIFA.
It has since emerged that Vasco even offered the striker a clause which would allow him to return to Europe in January, and were willing to pay him a big salary, but the player turned it down.
Tottenham striker Richarlison did not think time was right to return to Brazil
Vasco Da Gama director Admar Lopes has now revealed that the club did everything in their power to offer the Tottenham forward favourable terms after it became clear that a loan deal would not be possible.
However, he revealed that in the end, Richarlison simply was not prepared to accept a permanent move back to his home country.
Lopes said (via Netvasco and relayed by Sport Witness) about the collapsed transfer: “Initially, there was the possibility of a loan, proposed by the player’s staff, but we quickly understood that wouldn’t be viable because of a transfer rule.
“In a short period of two or three days – and I have to thank the club’s entire structure, legal and marketing departments – we managed to find financial support to make an exception.
“We were already looking for a market opportunity for that position, but with a more limited budget. We managed to make an exception for Richarlison because of the context around the player and because it was a deal led by president Pedrinho. We tried everything.
“We really did make an offer to buy him, but what happened is that the player didn’t accept the terms of a permanent transfer. Until the final day, we tried everything within our reach to convince him, but the player refused and said it wasn’t the right time to return to Brazil.”
Vasco unlikely to return for Richarlison in January
Lopes explained that the Spurs striker was viewed internally as an ideal profile but added that the club now consider the chapter ‘closed’ after their failed pursuit.
He added: “We believed Richarlison was the player who had the characteristics and qualities we were looking for, but it wasn’t possible. We believe in the players we have, and we’re confident we’ll achieve the objectives we’ve set ourselves. That’s why this deal and this subject are closed from now on.”
This update comes a day after it emerged that Everton are unlikely to reignite their interest in Richarlison in January, with the Merseyside club put off from the deal after he turned them down at the start of the month.