Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Richarlison to Tottenham imminent, with contract ‘agreed’ as Levy sees right through Everton threat

Everton forward Richarlison

Everton striker Richarlison has reportedly agreed a contract with Tottenham, who will inevitably seal the deal despite having a second players-plus-cash offer rejected.

The two Premier League clubs have this week become the subject of increased transfer activity between them. Spurs have stepped up their interest in Richarlison and also want Anthony Gordon.

The latter deal looks unlikely at this stage. Everton have insisted that 21-year-old winger Gordon is going nowhere after only his first full top-flight campaign with his boyhood club.

However, a deal for Richarlison looks more attainable for Tottenham. The Brazilian marksman has two years left on his contract and Everton, who are in financial trouble, need to sell.

The Sun reported on Monday evening that Tottenham had submitted a combined £100million offer. They were offering to pay £80million for both Richarlison and Gordon, with £20million in appearance bonuses.

The Daily Mirror now claims that Everton have flatly rejected that offer. However, they are willing to sell Richarlison for £60million.

The transfer in fact looks inevitable, with the latest report detailing just how much fiscal turmoil Everton are in.

The Toffees’ threat of a points deduction is ‘very real’ and they need to balance their books by the end of the financial year – at the close of play on Thursday – to get themselves back on track.

Other sanctions the Premier League could impose include setting a strict Everton budget and preventing new players registering or current stars extending their contracts.

Everton have insisted that they will only sell Richarlison for £60million. Spurs could well accept that sum. Still, the Daily Mirror says that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will try and get something of a bargain.

Richarlison, Tottenham contract ‘agreed’

Richarlison, Everton striker, during Premier League game at Tottenham

Elsewhere, a fresh report from Brazilian outlet UOL claims that Richarlison has ‘agreed’ a five-year Tottenham contract until 2027.

Negotiations are going smoothly between Spurs and the player over personal terms, the report adds.

As such, the transfer terms themselves remain the only sticking point. And talks on that front have been somewhat held up by players-plus-cash offers being floated.

Everton are standing firm over Gordon, but the Daily Mirror adds in its report that Spurs have also offered Steven Bergwijn.

Player swap options for Richarlison

Player swap options for Richarlison

Richarlison reportedly wants to leave Everton this summer and Frank Lampard may get some players in return for a deal for the Brazilian.

The Toffees have rejected the Dutch winger too, because the Premier League will only allow Everton to make a sale to balance their books, rather than bring a player in along the way.

Everton could make a new offer for Netherlands star Bergwijn from Friday onwards, when the new financial year kicks in. But De Telegraaf has claimed that the winger would rather move to Ajax.

Conte set to get his man

Tottenham have made a strong start to the transfer window already, bolstering in three key areas.

Fraser Forster is the new deputy goalkeeper, with Ivan Perisic slotting in at wing-back. More recently, midfielder Yves Bissouma has joined from Brighton.

Spurs manager Antonio Conte has therefore switched his focus to his attack, with Richarlison a firm target.

The 25-year-old dragged Everton out of the relegation mire with his goals at the back end of last season.

He could now look forward to helping Tottenham push on from their top-four Premier League finish, which has seen them return to the Champions League.