Richarlison 'trying to tear up Tottenham contract' as dream club told to pay £20m

Richarlison is seeking a solution to his situation at Tottenham after failed moves to Everton and Trabzonspor, and ultimately his exclusion from Roberto De Zerbi's Premier League squad

Richarlison is pushing to terminate his Tottenham contract after interest from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, who would need to pay more than £20million to sign him, according to reports in Brazil. The forward has been left in limbo after being excluded from Roberto De Zerbi’s 25‑man Premier League squad.

The 29‑year‑old had two chances to leave Spurs in the summer, with negotiations involving his former club Everton and Turkish side Trabzonspor. Reports in Brazil claim Everton’s offer was far lower than the proposals Richarlison had received elsewhere. Despite being emotionally open to returning to a club close to his heart, the financial package made no sense for him or his family, and he was left feeling that the narrative afterwards unfairly painted him as the villain.

Trabzonspor also tried to sign him, submitting bids of £15million and £20million, as reported by Globo Esporte, but no deal materialised. Throughout the saga, Richarlison demanded that Spurs show him respect, yet the situation has deteriorated further after he was left out of their Premier League squad for the season.

As a result, the forward is only eligible for cup matches or the under‑21s. According to Globo Esporte, his entourage have now taken legal action to request the termination of his contract, with Richarlison keen to be released so he can join Vasco da Gama - the club he grew up supporting - until December, when the Brazilian season ends.

Vasco are understood to be trying to offer him a lifeline, with the player having agreed a loan move last Tuesday. However, a FIFA limit on international loans is believed to have caused the deal to collapse - Spurs have already reached their maximum of six outgoing international loans.

It is further reported that Richarlison is continuing his push to terminate his contract, while the Vasco board remain in negotiations to sign him, though they recognise the situation is extremely difficult. The report adds that the north Londoners are demanding more than £20m for a permanent transfer, a fee Vasco 'cannot afford.'

Article 15 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players outlines when a player can terminate their contract early on the grounds of sporting just cause, stating: "An established professional who has, in the course of the season, appeared in fewer than ten per cent of the official matches in which his club has been involved may terminate his contract prematurely on the ground of sporting just cause.

"Due consideration shall be given to the player's circumstances in the appraisal of such cases. The existence of sporting just cause shall be established on a case-by-case basis. In such a case, sporting sanctions shall not be imposed, though compensation may be payable. A professional may only terminate his contract on this basis in the 15 days following the last official match of the season of the club with which he is registered."

"Richarlison he decided everything alone. He spoke with me at the beginning of the pre-season and told me his idea and desire was to leave.," the Italian boss said.

"At the end we go to bring another striker and like I said at the beginning of the pre-season, I want to keep the players, just the players that want to stay and be proud and with the right passion to stay here. Then for everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job.

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"It is the responsibility of the club. I can’t say nothing because I didn’t decide anything. The message of Richarlison from the beginning of the season has been very clear. I accepted that and for me nothing [to say]. You don't know one important thing, at the beginning of pre-season I spoke to Richarlison and asked him if he wanted to extend his contract because I was happy to keep him with us, and he didn't want to.

"Richarlison is a good player. He was important last season. He's a good guy, but in the end, I had to stop myself putting pressure on the players if they show me they want to leave. So I'm sorry for him but we have to go to another page and work with Dominic Solanke and Omar Marmoush."

When pressed on whether the forward had asked to leave, the Spurs boss added: "I don’t know, I didn’t understand well because sometimes he said to stay, sometimes he leaves and we have to speak anyway. There is not any problem.

"He’s a lovely guy. All of us love him. The team-mates, the club, the staff, because he works hard every day, seriously every day, and we can’t say anything on the pitch."