Tottenham and Brazil forward Richarlison has released a cryptic statement on his Instagram after being unable to secure a move back to Everton, stating that he wanted to return to the club where he was happy.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Richarlison had asked to leave the club. Spurs had been negotiating a move that would have seen him return to Everton, but the deal subsequently stalled after Manchester City hijacked Tottenham’s move for Iliman Ndiaye.
Richarlison said he had been through a lot over the years because other people had made decisions about his future, adding that pressure, threats and other difficult situations had caused him to go through tough times. He insisted, though, that he would not allow that to happen again.
“After everything I’ve been through over the last few years, I decided that NEVER AGAIN would I let other people decide my future for me. I went through a lot of bad things during this time, and almost all of them happened because of decisions made by other people. Pressure, threats, retaliation—none of that scares me. I’ve been through worse… believe me!”
The Brazilian said he has always believed in leaving a club on good terms, asserting that despite interest in him during Tottenham’s difficult period last season, he never pushed for a move away:
“I have always made it clear, on every occasion, that if I were to leave for another place, it would also have to be good for the club. If it wasn’t, I would never accept it… just as I didn’t accept it when everything here was falling apart and they needed me. I stayed and gave my life to it.
So, I hope they treat my situation with the same respect I have always had for Spurs and for everyone who worked with me during this period. Just don’t make the decision for me.”
He further said his intention was to return to Everton, where he was happy, but the proposed transfer failed to materialise:
“If they reach an agreement between Spurs and Everton, I will return to my team of the heart.
My intention was indeed to return to the place where I was very happy. But the negotiations were handled the way the people wanted them to be, and it won’t be like that anymore.
Despite all this turmoil, I still have a contract with Spurs and I will be at the club’s disposal.”
Richarlison joined Tottenham in 2022 from Everton for a reported £60 million initial fee, with the transfer potentially rising to £70 million. He is now entering his fifth season with the North London club.
During Tottenham’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford in their opening Premier League game of the season, Richarlison started and played 68 minutes before being substituted for Dominic Solanke. In their second game against Newcastle, where Spurs suffered a 2-0 defeat, he was left completely out of the matchday squad.
