Richarlison is expected to remain at Tottenham Hotspur until at least January after his proposed move to Vasco da Gama collapsed before Brazil’s transfer deadline. Tottenham had agreed a fee with Vasco, but the 29-year-old forward could not finalise personal terms, leaving him in limbo at the north London club.
The Brazilian window closed at 4:00am BST on Saturday, ending Vasco’s opportunity to complete the transfer. Richarlison wanted a short-term move to his boyhood club until December, while Vasco sought a longer commitment, reportedly of at least 18 months.
Richarlison has been omitted from Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad for the first half of the season, meaning he cannot play league football until the registration list can be changed in January. He can still train with the club and remains eligible for domestic cup competitions should Tottenham choose to use him.
Tottenham informed Richarlison before the English transfer deadline that he did not form part of the first-team plans under Roberto De Zerbi. The striker started Spurs’ opening 3–0 defeat at Brentford on 22 August but has not played since and has subsequently been moved into the club’s under-21 set-up.
De Zerbi said Richarlison had made his intentions clear at the beginning of pre-season.
“Richarlison decided everything alone,” De Zerbi said. “He spoke with me at the beginning of pre-season. He told me his idea, his desire was to leave. I can’t say anything because I didn’t decide anything.”
Asked on Friday whether Richarlison would remain at Tottenham, De Zerbi said: “I don’t know. It’s not my job. I know very well what the club has done for Richarlison and I know very well what Richarlison has done for the club in the last month, two months. I know, the club knows, he knows, his agent knows.”
The Vasco proposal was the latest of several unsuccessful exit routes. A deadline-day return to Everton broke down before the English window closed, while discussions over a possible move to Trabzonspor also failed to produce an agreement.
Richarlison scored 11 Premier League goals and supplied four assists in 32 appearances last season, but he now faces the prospect of limited competitive football before January. He remains under contract until June 2027, while Tottenham hold an option to extend the deal by a further year.
Reports that Richarlison may seek a contract termination remain unconfirmed. Tottenham have shown no indication that they are prepared to release the forward, leaving January as the most likely point for the player and club to reassess his future.
