Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that he is unsure whether Richarlison will still be at the club come the end of the summer transfer window, and Everton must surely make their move to bring him back to Merseyside.
The Brazil international has blown hot and cold since his move to north London from the Toffees for £60 million four years ago. Richarlison has bagged just 32 goals in 133 Spurs outings, never finding a strike rate convincing enough to establish himself as the first-choice striker.
The 29-year-old scored a respectable 12 goals across all competitions last term, which De Zerbi admires, but neither player nor manager is convinced that Richarlison's future is with the club. That news should prick the ears of transfer chiefs at Everton.
Richarlison Wants to Leave Tottenham
Richarlison scored a last-minute winner for Spurs as the side beat Chelsea 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday.
After the match, De Zerbi said: "Sometimes he said to stay, sometimes to leave. As a player or a guy, he is unbelievable in his attitude and behaviour.
"In the end, we have to respect what he wants to do. For me, he's still an important player, it's not easy to find another striker like Richarlison. Richarlison scores goals. He knows the way. A new striker, we don't know. He scored 12 goals last season, not for luck. He feels the way to score."
The striker is in the final 12 months of his contract at Spurs, and it's a conundrum that needs sorting. Tottenham simply can't allow their £60 million man to leave for free at the end of the season - a sale or contract extension needs to happen soon.
Ultimately, if Richarlison is not in De Zerbi's long term plans, then the club should sell this summer. Extending the player's contract to have him sit on the bench will only decrease the player's value.
In a summer when £230m has already been spent on Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke, Tottenham are in a position of needing to generate funds. With Dominic Solanke expected to be preferred by De Zerbi, all signs are pointing to cashing in on the Brazilian.
Everton Must Target Richarlison Reunion
Richarlison flourished over his six years at Goodison Park, single-handedly saving the team from relegation in 2022 with a prolific return of goals over the crunch end of the campaign.
Richarlison flourishes as a big fish in a smaller pond. The forward is an emotional player and thrives as the main man, flourishing when trusted to carry the burden - the fact he has always had to prove his price tag at Spurs looked to have weighed heavily on the player.
He knows he would get that at Everton. When speaking about the club in 2022, he said: "I have a great relationship with both the club and the supporters. I know how everything works on a daily basis. At this moment we're through a difficult situation, fighting at the bottom of the table, but I believe in each one of my mates.
"My relationship with Everton is this, it's a love relationship. I have a great fondness towards Everton, as they have for me, and I'm thankful for this. I'm sure we'll climb up the table."
It's a move for Everton that would make sense more than just emotionally. The Toffees have not seen a player hit double figures in the league since Richarlison left. The club have been linked with a move, and he would reportedly be open to returning.