It has emerged that Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison was the subject of interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad on transfer deadline day, as the club looked to find an alternative to their top target, Mohamed Salah.
Richarlison only signed for Tottenham last summer, arriving from Everton in a £60m deal (ESPN). His first season with the Lilywhites didn’t exactly go to plan.
It was hoped that the Brazilian could challenge the likes of Heung-min Son and Harry Kane in the forward areas and push for a starting spot in the Spurs side. However, Richarlison could only manage three goals all season, with just one of those coming in the league (Transfermarkt).
A combination of injury issues and poor form hampered Richarlison’s progress at Spurs, but it was suggested that he may find a new lease of life under new boss, Ange Postecoglou, this season.
Richarlison started the first three games of the Premier League campaign, and bagged his first goal of the season in the Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham.
(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Richarlison could have left Spurs this summer
However, things could have been very different for Richarlison this season, had reported interest from Saudi Arabia materialised into something more substantial.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Al-Ittihad were ready to turn their attention to the Spurs man after failing to land their big target, Mohamed Salah.
It is thought Richarlison was seen as a viable “alternative” to Salah, after a £150m bid was turned down by Liverpool.
It is said there were “talks through intermediaries” for the Brazil striker, but ultimately, Al-Ittihad “ran out of time and did not progress” the deal before the Saudi Pro League deadline, which passed on Thursday night.
Spurs Web Opinion
I’m glad we didn’t sell Richarlison this summer, as I think he has a hell of a lot to give this club. He is so hard-working, and the goals will hopefully come more often for him this season now that he’s got his first of the campaign.
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