Roberto de Zerbi has stated that Tottenham is uncertain about the future of forward Richarlison, noting that he “sometimes” expresses a desire to leave the club.
The 29-year-old Brazil international scored a last-minute goal to help 10-man Spurs defeat Chelsea 2-1 during a prominent friendly in Sydney.
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Following the match, De Zerbi was asked about Richarlison’s potential departure, considering he is in the final year of his contract.
“I’m not sure about his future because I value him both as a player and a person,” De Zerbi commented at Accor Stadium. “He has an incredible attitude and behavior. However, we must respect his wishes.”
When further questioned on whether Richarlison wants to leave, he replied: “I’m unsure. Sometimes he indicates he wants to stay, and other times he expresses a desire to leave. We need to communicate about it. There’s no issue; he’s a wonderful guy.”
The Italian coach emphasized Richarlison’s professionalism and his contributions during a tumultuous season where Spurs fought against relegation, netting 12 goals.
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“I still consider him a crucial player because finding another striker of his caliber is challenging,” he remarked. “Richarlison knows how to score goals. With a new striker, we can never be certain.”
“He scored 12 goals last season, not by chance, but because he has the ability to finish,” De Zerbi added. “Everyone appreciates him—teammates, the club, and the staff—because he puts in hard work every single day, and there are no complaints about him on the pitch.”
The uncertainty comes amid Spurs’ record £237 million transfer window, which is expected to continue with attempts to sign two additional forwards.
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One of the targets is reported to be Manchester City’s Savinho, while Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has also been mentioned.