Tottenham axe Richarlison as Trabzonspor step up their pursuit

Frozen out by Roberto De Zerbi and barred from Premier League action, Richarlison is drawing closer to Trabzonspor, although Tottenham still await an acceptable offer.

Richarlison’s future at Tottenham Hotspur now looks increasingly bleak. According to the Daily Mail, Roberto De Zerbi has omitted the Brazilian forward from Spurs’ squad for the first half of the Premier League season. The decision is particularly significant because injured players including Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert have all retained their places.

The Italian coach had already dropped Richarlison for the Newcastle match after accusing him of asking to leave too many times. A return to Everton was subsequently discussed during negotiations involving Iliman Ndiaye. Tottenham reportedly valued the striker at £35 million, but the proposed operation collapsed. Richarlison later admitted that he had genuinely wanted to go back to the club where he had been “very happy”.

A costly signing with mixed results at Tottenham

Tottenham signed Richarlison from Everton in July 2022 for an initial £50 million, with a further £10 million potentially due in add-ons. Four years later, his output has not fully matched that investment: he has scored 32 goals in 134 appearances for the north London club. Last season was nevertheless his busiest and most productive campaign, yielding 12 goals from 43 games in all competitions. Eleven of those strikes came in the league, making him Spurs’ leading Premier League scorer.

His 2026/27 campaign currently amounts to 68 minutes in the defeat at Brentford, with no goal or assist. The Brazil international is contracted until June 2027, while Tottenham hold an option for one additional season. If he stays, his omission means he cannot feature in the league before a possible squad update in January.

Trabzonspor emerge as the remaining escape route

Trabzonspor now represent Richarlison’s most realistic destination before the Turkish window closes on Friday. The player has reportedly agreed personal terms, but the clubs have yet to settle the transfer fee and Tottenham insist that no satisfactory offer has arrived. Trabzonspor’s difficult start despite Mohamed Salah’s arrival also makes this a less straightforward sporting choice. Unless an agreement is reached quickly, Richarlison faces being stranded outside Tottenham’s Premier League plans until at least January.

Read also : Atlético: Simeone recalls Julián Álvarez and sets him a challenge

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

Related teams and leagues

Tottenham

English Premier League