Richarlison races against time as Brazil clubs try to save his Spurs career

Each and every exit door that presented itself to Richarlison this summer has slammed in his face.

Everton fell through, and while Trabzonspor looked set to complete a stunning late-season swoop for the Brazilian, the deal ultimately fell apart.

Saudi Arabia, a destination that at one point looked like it might provide a vital lifeline to Richarlison this summer, has officially closed the door as well.

In a statement released on Sunday night, the Saudi Pro League confirmed the end of their summer registration period, leaving the former Everton forward with few options.

Portugal was always a likely destination as its less competitive league has a later closing date for summer transfers, but the window for senior players had already shut on Friday, the same day as Turkey.

So where now for Richarlison?

With no club willing to register the 29-year-old international this summer and no place in Roberto De Zerbi’s plans at Sassuolo, it seems increasingly likely that the only place left for Richarlison to go is back home.

Richarlison’s last-gasp request to leave Tottenham this summer has left him isolated and stranded in north London.

De Zerbi bizarrely left the Brazilian out of his 25-man Premier League squad in the summer, responding to Richarlison’s open letter by stating, “I wanted to keep Richarlison, I offered him a new contract, but he made up his mind. Tottenham will do what they think is best for the team, and they have their attacking options.”

The Italian has since built his attack around Dominic Solanke and newly signed Omar Marmoush, rather than the Brazilian international, who has been left out of the first team picture entirely as he continues to train at Hotspur Way, isolated from the first team.

According to Guilherme Frossard, Atlético Mineiro have entered into exploratory talks with Richarlison’s camp, discussing the possibility of a loan move to Mineiro.

His representatives are understood to have cooled their disappointment with Tottenham’s interest in the striker, as well as De Zerbi’s comments about Richarlison not being in his plans.

It has become increasingly apparent that staying at Spurs for another season is not an option.

This is a real U-turn for Richarlison, who has always spoken about returning to Brazil as a possibility later in his career, rather than an immediate necessity after being discarded by both De Zerbi and Tottenham.

Atlético Mineiro are not the only club interested in Richarlison, however.

Frossard also reports that Vasco da Gama have made a strong approach to the forward, who appears to be considering his options carefully.

Vasco appear to have more allure for Richarlison than the other clubs vying for his services, however, having spent his formative years supporting their local rivals Fluminense, before moving to England as a teenager.

According to Richarlison himself in the 2024 edition of his podcast, he used to stay up late watching Fluminense and Vasco da Gama matches when he was growing up in Brazil.

“I would spend hours glued to the TV, watching all the games,” he said.

“I always had a soft spot for Vasco da Gama and would dream of playing for them one day.

I think it would be incredible to play for one of these clubs if I were to return to my home country.”

A move to Vasco da Gama would be incredibly significant for both the club and for Richarlison himself, but it is Atlético Mineiro who have so far made the most concrete approach to the forward, as well as his representatives.

A loan move to Atlético would be ideal for Tottenham, as it would allow them to remove a frustrated and unhappy player from their ranks, if not permanently.

The details of any potential move would then have to be worked out between the two clubs, as well as Richarlison’s personal approval of whichever destination he chooses to return to in Brazil.

The main obstacle to any potential move is the deadline, as Brazil’s transfer window closes on Friday, leaving Atlético and Vasco with little time to work out a deal with both Richarlison and Tottenham.

As reported by Guilherme Frossard, Richarlison’s contract at Tottenham runs until June 2027, with an option for Spurs to extend it for a further year.

This means that, at best, Richarlison’s loan move to Brazil will only be a stop-gap measure, with his future still very much in doubt.

For now, the main concern for Richarlison and those around him is whether or not a deal can be completed before Friday, allowing him to continue his career before the end of the season.