Softfootball can confirm Richarlison has been left out of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League squad for the first half of the season after the Brazil forward’s proposed return to former club Everton fell through before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi revealed last week that Richarlison had asked to leave the club, with Everton emerging as a potential destination for the 29-year-old. However, the proposed transfer failed to materialise before the domestic deadline, leaving the forward at Tottenham despite the club making it clear that he is no longer part of their plans.
It is understood that Richarlison was informed before Tuesday’s deadline that he does not feature in Tottenham’s plans for the season.
The decision to leave him out of the Premier League squad further underlines the situation, although the Brazilian could still have an opportunity to leave the club in the coming days.
Transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia remain open, and Richarlison is expected to depart Tottenham if a suitable opportunity emerges.
The forward joined Tottenham from Everton in the summer of 2022 after spending four years with the Toffees, having originally joined Everton from Watford in 2018.
Richarlison is now entering the final year of his contract at Tottenham and his future has become increasingly uncertain under De Zerbi.
He started Tottenham’s opening Premier League game of the season, a defeat to Brentford, but was subsequently left out of the manager’s squad when Spurs suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle United on Saturday.
Following the Newcastle defeat, De Zerbi addressed Richarlison’s situation and indicated that the player’s desire to leave had been repeatedly communicated.
“Richarlison, I don’t know. He said too many times he wants to leave,” the Tottenham manager said.
Earlier in August, De Zerbi had also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the striker’s future while admitting that replacing a player of his profile would not be straightforward.
“It’s not easy to find another striker like Richarlison,” De Zerbi said at the time.
Tottenham have nevertheless strengthened their attacking options, recently bringing in Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush on loan. Marmoush replaced Richarlison in the squad for the Newcastle defeat, further indicating the changing hierarchy in De Zerbi’s attack.
Richarlison’s exclusion comes despite him playing an important role for Tottenham last season.
The Brazilian was Spurs’ leading Premier League goalscorer, scoring 11 goals in 32 appearances while also providing four assists. His contribution proved particularly important during Tottenham’s difficult campaign, as the club battled to avoid relegation and eventually secured Premier League survival on the final day.
Despite that contribution, Tottenham have now decided to move in a different direction.
With Richarlison entering the final year of his contract and no longer included in the club’s Premier League plans, the coming weeks could determine the next stage of his career, with Turkey and Saudi Arabia remaining potential destinations.
