Tottenham transfer news: Richarlison takes aim at Spurs after Vasco transfer collapse

Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison has publicly criticized his club following the dramatic collapse of a proposed transfer to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, revealing that a deal was nearly finalized before North London officials intervened.

The forward addressed supporters of the Rio de Janeiro club through a personal social media video message, explaining that he had made it clear during negotiations that he wished to return to his homeland on a temporary switch. According to reporting from The New York Times, the Brazil international expressed deep disappointment over the breakdown, attributing the failed switch directly to Tottenham's rigid demands regarding the loan structure.

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Tottenham’s Richarlison says he was ‘very close’ to Vasco da Gama transfer: ‘It’s my dream’

The transfer window for Brazilian clubs shut on Friday, extinguishing any immediate hopes of a return to South America. The complications compound an already turbulent period for the former Everton and Watford attacker, who finished as Tottenham's leading scorer in the Premier League last term with eleven goals as the club successfully fought off relegation.

Despite his previous contributions, Richarlison has found himself entirely frozen out under the current regime. He has been omitted from Tottenham's official Premier League squad list and has not featured in a single matchday squad since the opening-day defeat at Brentford. His slide down the pecking order accelerated significantly following the arrival of Omar Marmoush from Manchester City.

Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi addressed the ongoing situation, shedding light on the internal friction. According to De Zerbi, substantial time was spent trying to persuade the forward to remain in London, but the club ultimately reacted to the player's expressed desire to leave. If I had decided myself to leave him outside of the squad, I would have regrets, but the decision has not even been taken by the club. It has been a consequence of what I told you already that he has decided, De Zerbi stated, as detailed by The Athletic.

Frustrations have clearly boiled over for the player, who previously declined the personal terms on offer after Tottenham agreed a deal with Everton for his transfer, and subsequently turned down an approach from Turkish club Trabzonspor before their registration deadline. In a separate social media statement reflecting on his recent career tribulations, Richarlison vowed that external forces would no longer dictate his professional path, noting that he had endured intense pressure and retaliation. He enters the final twelve months of the five-year contract he signed when moving to North London from Everton.

Even though the move to Vasco da Gama collapsed, suitors are still tracking the player's availability. Outlets monitoring global market developments, including BBC Sport, report that multiple clubs maintain an interest in securing his signature despite the closure of major European windows.

For Richarlison, a return to the club of his family's affections may still materialize in the future. In his message to supporters, he vowed to eventually walk the grounds of Sao Januario. For now, the immediate focus turns to how the forward and Tottenham navigate the remainder of his contract while he remains sidelined from competitive fixtures.