Insider explains Tottenham's three-point Richarlison plan amid fresh 'complication'
Tottenham Hotspur will be desperately hoping that FIFA do not intervene and cancel Richarlison's contract in the coming weeks.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the elite clubs do not want the governing body meddling in their business.
Richarlison is out of contract with the Lilywhites next summer, but has not registered as part of their Premier League squad, and almost joined Vasco da Gama after the English transfer deadline.
Wyness now believes that Spurs will feel hugely concerned about FIFA stepping in, and may be forced to take matters into their own hands in January as a result.
The 29-year-old and his agent remain in ongoing talks with FIFA over whether he would be allowed to seek a termination of his contract.
The former Everton star ended 2025-26 as the Lilywhites' leading goalscorer with 11 Premier League goals, but his efforts last term have quickly been brushed aside.
Tottenham's three Richarlison options
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 Tottenham have no choice but to accept a financial hit with Richarlison.
The Scottish businessman outlined that they can either sell him for less than their valuation in January, or must face paying his wages until the end of his contract.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained how Richarlison's discussions with FIFA provide yet another complication.
"He and his agent have made an appeal to FIFA to get involved in terms of saying that the contract needs to be ripped up and he can move. That complicates things again," he said.
"Where it gets even more complex is that Vasco da Gama apparently haven't got the money to be able to buy him at the price Spurs are asking for. He also couldn't go on loan because Spurs have used up their quota of international loans.
"So there are really three courses of action that can happen. One, they get to a very reduced fee, and they let them go for that. And then they get rid of the wages, which is fine.
"They could keep paying him, keep him on for the season, and then let him go for free. Or thirdly, FIFA does intervene. Now, the clubs would not like FIFA to start getting involved in players' contracts, so I think it'll be one of the first two options."
Has Richarlison been underappreciated at Spurs?
Football Insider revealed earlier this wek that Everton are unlikely to revisit a deal for Richarlison, after they also saw a late move for him collapse before the transfer deadline.
The Brazilian has now been left frozen out in North London, and Roberto De Zerbi didn't even name him in the matchday squad for the recent Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.
Richarlison was a key figure for Spurs last term, as he played 1957 minutes of Premier League action, with his 11-goal tally helping them to get over the line and secure their survival.
With him now out of the picture for De Zerbi, the team are goalless after their opening four Premier League games, with their attacking options misfiring badly at the moment.
Richarlison is now effectively dead weight within the squad, when there is certainly an argument he still has something to give.