Keith Wyness explains hidden Everton detail that angered Richarlison: 'My understanding...'
Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison was left angry after feeling forced into the prospect of a late move to return to his former club Everton.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Brazilian was also unwilling to take a pay cut to return to Merseyside.
Richarlison was lined up to be used as part of a deal in exchange for Iliman Ndiaye's move to Spurs, but the wideman instead ended up joining Man City.
Richarlison responded by posting a series of messages on his Instagram story, with Wyness outlining that the Brazilian felt like a "make-weight" in the deal.
The striker expressed grievances about people making decisions regarding his future on his behalf, and he ultimately stayed put at Spurs.
His £35million return to Everton fell through once Ndiaye moved to City, and the whole saga clearly left a bitter taste in the mouth for the Brazilian.
Keith Wyness explains Richarlison frustration
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Richarlison was completely against the idea of taking a wage cut to return to Merseyside.
The 29-year-old is out of contract in North London next summer, and the Lilywhites are clearly looking at ways to move him out the door.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained the unhappiness surrounding Richarlison's transfer collapse.
"I think in the end it was fairly clear. Ndiaye was prepared to move, obviously to Spurs, but I think Richarlison was a make-weight in that whole deal as well," he said.
"I don't think he was very happy about being that make-weight and being almost told he had to move. I think that's what he's alluding to is that he was being told, you're going to have to take this deal, even though it is Everton who he professes a great love for.
"It just didn't work out for all parties, and certainly from Ndiaye's point of view. When you're seeing the squad that City have built together in this window as well, you've got to say he was looking for an exciting project.
"He's been a huge joy to watch, and he will do well at City on that sort of platform he's got with the players around him as well. And his talents will shine.
"But yeah, Richarlison, again, he was becoming part of a deal that he wasn't in control of. The focus wasn't on him. And he was being told to take a drop in wages; I understand it as well. And he just wasn't prepared to accept that."
David Moyes has no say on Everton transfers
Former Everton scout Bryan King recently told Football Insider that manager David Moyes has no say in the transfer strategy at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The ex-recruitment man was hugely concerned by the late decision not to sell midfielder Harrison Armstrong, since he believes it clearly didn't come from the manager.
King feels that the club hierarchy boweed to the pressure from the fans, which he believes can set a dangerous precedent for the future.
He also suggested that Nottingham Forest's £40m bid for Armstrong represented a good deal for the Toffees, despite the backlash that it received.