Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham transfer latest: Two suitors cloud Richarlison deal, though new Everton demand won’t dissuade Spurs

Brazil forward Richarlison

Tottenham believe a Richarlison transfer is achievable despite a raised new price tag, though two powerful suitors could make things complicated, per multiple reports.

Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte recently claimed Spurs were in advanced negotiations to sign Richarlison. The 25-year-old was instrumental in steering Everton to safety last season, though previous financial mistakes may make a major sale necessary this summer.

Indeed, one of Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin could depart. They are two of the club’s most saleable assets and would generate enough cash to revamp Frank Lampard’s squad in other departments.

Tottenham were deemed to be making progress on a deal worth approximately £51m. The Athletic’s David Ornstein later confirmed Spurs’ interest in the Brazilian, though claimed the Toffees would demand more than £51m.

Writing in his column for Caught Offside, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has detailed the fee Everton will seek.

He stated Everton will look to generate between £60m-£64m for their star forward. Romano confirmed Richarlison’s representatives have made contact with Tottenham, though suggested previous talk of the deal being advanced is premature.

European heavyweights watching closely

The trusted journalist noted competition will be fierce in the chase, and the Daily Mail have revealed who else are circling.

The newspaper stated European giants Real Madrid and PSG are monitoring the situation.

However, they also claimed Tottenham are best placed to pull off the deal at present. What’s more, Spurs reportedly hold a ‘belief a deal is achievable’.

The new, raised price tag is acknowledged to be the likeliest stumbling block to a move. However, Ornstein stated Everton’s desperate need to generate cash could see Richarlison’s price tag tumble, presumably the longer the window wares on.

Richarlison transfer has pros and cons

The Brazilian is undoubtedly a fine attacker on his day. However, Spurs’ forward line looked potent enough with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski last season.

Whether Richarlison would be a regular starter for Antonio Conte is unclear. That makes spending potentially a new Spurs transfer record on the Brazilian an almighty leap of faith.

Other areas of Spurs’ squad must still be addressed this summer. Indeed, the club are understood to be pushing to sign Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence to upgrade the right wing-back slot.

A new centre-back also remains the club’s primary focus. Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni has been linked, though prising him away from the San Siro will be difficult and costly.

Alternative options include Pau Torres and Gleison Bremer – who is ironically Inter’s preferred choice to replace Bastoni if the Italian does go. Neither of the secondary options will come cheap.