Tottenham Plans Richarlison Exit After Relationship Breaks Down

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison is expected to leave the club in January after a breakdown in his relationship with the team, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Brazilian striker was excluded from Tottenham's Premier League squad after summer discussions over a possible departure.

Romano said on the Here We Go podcast that Tottenham and Richarlison reached a point where both sides are expected to separate soon. The club had explored a move involving Everton and Iliman Ndiaye before the transfer window closed.

"It’s been a crazy situation; even Roberto De Zerbi explained it," said Fabrizio Romano.

Romano reported that manager Roberto De Zerbi initially wanted to keep Richarlison and discussed a new contract with him, but the striker wanted to leave. A proposed return to Everton did not happen, while later interest from Trabzonspor and Vasco da Gama also failed to produce an agreement.

"De Zerbi wasn’t lying and isn’t lying when he said that at the beginning of the new season he went to Richarlison and told him 'let’s discuss a new contract, I want you here,'" said Fabrizio Romano.

Tottenham had linked Richarlison's possible move to Everton with their pursuit of Ndiaye, but Ndiaye eventually joined Manchester City. Romano said Tottenham no longer viewed Richarlison as part of the club's future plans.

"I think around January we will see Richarlison leaving Tottenham. The intention of Tottenham is not to integrate Richarlison anymore as part of their project," said Fabrizio Romano.

Richarlison joined Tottenham from Everton in 2022 for £60 million and scored once in the Premier League during his first season, according to FourFourTwo. He later reached double figures in the league in one campaign but missed Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad.

Everton were considered a possible destination after the summer window, but Chris Beesley of the Liverpool Echo said the club should focus on finding another forward rather than bringing Richarlison back.

"The Richarlison ship sailed a long time ago," said Chris Beesley.

Tottenham entered the season struggling for goals, sitting bottom of the Premier League after five matches with two goals scored and no wins, according to reports from the cited football outlets.