Richarlison's Vasco da Gama move collapses as Tottenham exit hits the buffers
Richarlison's proposed move from Tottenham Hotspur to Vasco da Gama has fallen through amid ongoing uncertainty over his future. Personal terms emerged as an issue, and with the Brazil transfer window closing on Friday night, the sense is the 29-year-old will stay at Spurs.
- Player: Richarlison, 29, Tottenham forward
- Proposed move: Return to Brazil with Vasco da Gama
- Status: Deal collapsed after personal terms emerged as an issue
- Deadline: Brazil transfer window closes on Friday night
- Contract: Nine months remaining, expires next summer, Spurs hold 12-month extension option
- Premier League squad: Left out by Tottenham after £35m Everton deadline-day move broke down
Deal details
Sources suggested Tottenham had agreed a fee with Vasco da Gama over a return to Brazil for Richarlison. However, personal terms are understood to have emerged as an issue, scuppering the deal. The Brazil transfer window closes on Friday night, leaving little time for a compromise.
The forward is understood to be exploring his options, with sources indicating he is keen to be released from the remainder of his current deal, which runs out next summer. Tottenham can also trigger a 12-month extension. Earlier in the window, his proposed £35m deadline-day move to Everton broke down over a disagreement on personal terms.
What was said
"I don't know. It's not my job."
"What I can say is 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. Everyone knows better than you [the media]. Much better."
De Zerbi's comments reveal a manager distancing himself from the financial mechanics while defending the forward's contribution. The Italian is adamant that those inside the club understand the situation better than the media. Yet the fact he offered no update suggests the matter remains unresolved and may be handled above his head.
The numbers
- £35m — fee Tottenham agreed with Everton before that move collapsed over personal terms
- 9 months — remaining on Richarlison's current Tottenham contract
- Friday night — when the Brazil transfer window closes
- 12 months — the extension option Tottenham can trigger
- 29 — Richarlison's age
Why Spurs are stuck with a forward they left out of their squad
Richarlison is a Tottenham player on paper but not in the Premier League squad, after the £35m move to Everton collapsed. For a forward who has clearly been available, that is a costly impasse. Spurs cannot field him domestically until they either sell him or reintegrate him, and neither is straightforward with the deadline looming.
The dispute over the remaining nine months of his contract is the crux. Richarlison is understood to be keen to be released from the deal, which runs out next summer. Tottenham, however, hold a 12-month extension option. In effect, the club controls his immediate future, and they will not simply tear up a valuable asset. Vasco da Gama offered a route back to Brazil, but personal terms proved the stumbling block once more.
De Zerbi's refusal to be drawn — "It's not my job" — suggests the matter is being handled by the sporting director and board. Yet with the Brazil window about to shut, the window for a clean exit is closing fast. The most likely outcome is that Richarlison stays, at least until the next opportunity. Spurs must then decide whether to trigger the extension, negotiate a release, or find another buyer.
Talking points
- Should Tottenham simply release Richarlison to end the stand-off, or is that setting a damaging precedent for future contract disputes?
- De Zerbi said his future is "not my job" — does that show a manager wisely deferring to the board, or a lack of leadership?
- With the Brazil window closing, is Richarlison's career now stalled until at least January, and who is to blame?
- The 12-month extension option gives Spurs all the power, but does keeping an unhappy, uncarded player harm squad morale?
What happens next
The Brazil transfer window closes on Friday night. Unless personal terms can be salvaged in hours, Richarlison will remain at Tottenham, still outside the Premier League squad. Spurs may then face a decision on triggering his 12-month extension before next summer, with Everton and Vasco da Gama both having seen moves fail over personal terms.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Richarlison's move to Vasco da Gama fall through?
The deal fell through because personal terms emerged as an issue, despite Tottenham and Vasco da Gama agreeing a fee. The Brazil transfer window closes on Friday night, leaving little time to resolve it.
Is Richarlison still a Tottenham player?
Yes. He remains at Tottenham and, with the Brazil window closing, there is an emerging sense he will stay at Spurs. He has been left out of their Premier League squad.
When does Richarlison's Tottenham contract expire?
His current deal runs out next summer, with nine months remaining, but Tottenham can trigger a 12-month extension. Richarlison is understood to be keen to be released from the remainder of the deal.
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