Richarlison’s proposed move from Tottenham Hotspur to Vasco da Gama has collapsed after the Brazilian forward failed to agree personal terms with the Rio de Janeiro club. Tottenham had reached an agreement in principle with Vasco, but negotiations with the 29-year-old broke down before Brazil’s transfer window closed.
The move would have taken Richarlison back to the club he supported as a child, with the player seeking a short-term loan until December, when the Brazilian domestic season ends. Vasco were reportedly prepared to offer a longer contract, but Richarlison was unwilling to commit beyond the end of the year.
In a video message to Vasco supporters, Richarlison said he had made clear from the start that he wanted to play for the club until December.
“Other offers were made to me, but I made it very clear that I wanted to join Vasco until December,” he said. “Unfortunately, Tottenham set restrictions on the loan, which is why it did not work out.”
Tottenham have reached their FIFA limit of six outgoing international loans, a restriction reported to have complicated the proposed move. Richarlison’s comments suggested that the issue was not simply personal terms, with the forward placing responsibility on Tottenham’s loan arrangements.
The collapse leaves Richarlison’s future uncertain. He has been left out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad after a proposed £35 million deadline-day move to Everton also fell through, with the two sides unable to agree personal terms.
Richarlison is now in the final year of the five-year contract he signed after joining Tottenham from Everton in 2022. Sources indicate that he wants to terminate the agreement and leave on a free transfer, while Spurs are unwilling to negotiate a settlement and retain an option to extend his contract for a further 12 months.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has said the decision to omit Richarlison from the Premier League squad was not his own. The Brazilian forward started Spurs’ opening match of the season against Brentford but has since found himself outside the first-team group amid the unresolved contract dispute.
With the Brazilian window closed, a move to Vasco is no longer possible before January. Richarlison remains under contract at Tottenham, but his relationship with the club appears increasingly strained as both sides assess their next steps.
