Richarlison ‘wants’ to quit Tottenham and join ex-teammate at new club amid ‘massive’ claim
Richarlison has been tipped to replicate former Tottenham teammate Son Heung-Min as he edges closer to an exit from the club.
Son completed a move to Los Angeles FC over the summer, bringing an end to his ten-year spell in North London.
The South Korean international did manage to lift a trophy before his departure, as Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final last season.
Now, Son could be joined in America by one of his former Spurs teammates in the January transfer window.
Richarlison to complete move to the MLS
In the last week, Richarlison has been linked with a move to Orlando City in the MLS, and talks between the player’s representatives and the American outfit have already taken place.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the Brazilian forward will replicate Son and complete a move to the States.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that there is a bit of haggling going on in contract negotiations, to try and get the 28-year-old’s wages up.
Wyness added that Richarlison would be a massive name for Orlando City commercially, especially in a World Cup year.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, I think Orlando may be looking at what’s happened with Son when he went to Los Angeles.
“It’s been a massive success for Son in LA. Certainly the Korean population out there have taken to him. I think he’s got the biggest-selling shirt in the MLS at the moment.
“Obviously, with Richarlison being Brazilian, in Florida there’s a big Brazilian population, so it would make sense. I think the whole thing makes sense for both parties.
“There’s a bit of haggling right now. Richarlison’s saying that no, he doesn’t want to go, he wants to stay at Spurs. But to me, that’s just a bit of negotiation. He wants to get his package up a little bit further.
“Orlando are not the biggest franchise in the MLS and not the most successful by any means, but I believe they’ve got some new backers with some new money in it. In a World Cup year, to have Richarlison, a big Brazilian name would be important for them.”
Tottenham could be forced into transfer market
If Richarlison does depart, Tottenham will be forced into the transfer market to sign a striker when the window reopens.
That is according to former Spurs and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who claims that Thomas Frank’s side are unlikely to let the Brazil star leave without landing a replacement.
Dominic Solanke recently underwent surgery on an ankle injury and has missed large periods since his move to North London.
It means that Richarlison’s exit would leave Tottenham very light up front and considering their options in the transfer market.
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