Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of closing a deal for Everton star forward Iliman Ndiaye, which is contingent upon Richarlison heading back the other way to join the Toffees. From a Spurs perspective, the choice is a no brainer. Ndiaye is younger and more dynamic than Richy, and while Spurs will miss how fully COYS the Brazilian international was, as well as his goals, Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Premier League season was a reminder that the player simply is not good enough.
Spurs accelerated the departure of Richarlison when Roberto de Zerbi basically told the press that Richarlison wants out, to which Richy responded with a social media post about being unfairly villainized, which many interpreted at a shot back at the Tottenham coach for his comments.
Everyone knows that Richarlison has been the one loyal to Spurs and that the striker is the one who has actually rejected moves away from the club. Tottenham have been trying to sell Richarlison for a couple of years now, but he has shown no interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League or Turkey - money is of no interested to him either.
Roberto De Zerbi had to snap into action
But Everton could be. Richarlison was loved by the Toffees much more than he has been loved by Spurs, and he is a club legend for them after carrying them to Premier League safety a couple of years ago just before joining Tottenham Hotspur. At that time, Everton were beyond horrible and as poor as Spurs were last season, with Richy even playing through an injury to keep them up.
While Tottenham fans are grateful to Richarlison for his love for the club and for his goals in also helping to save them from relegation last season, it is indeed time to go. Tottenham are signing new players, and they have added Omar Marmoush to replace him as the new No. 1 striker, with Roberto De Zerbi believing in Dominic Solanke as a backup more than he is in favor of the former Brazil national team starter.