Tottenham Hotspur have left Richarlison out of their registered Premier League squad for the first half of the season, confirming that the Brazilian forward is no longer part of manager Roberto De Zerbi's plans. The decision was communicated to the 29-year-old ahead of Tuesday's domestic transfer deadline, with his future at the club now widely expected to be resolved in the coming days through the still-open transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
The move follows a turbulent few days for Richarlison, whose proposed return to former club Everton collapsed over the weekend. Spurs had opened discussions with the Merseyside club on Sunday night, exploring both a possible exit for the striker and a separate deal to sign Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, who instead completed a move to Manchester City. When the Richarlison-Everton negotiations broke down, the player took to social media with an emotional statement, declaring that he would no longer allow others to dictate his career path.
"After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me," Richarlison wrote. He went on to describe enduring pressure and difficult circumstances in the past, insisting that any future move would only happen on terms that suited both him and the club. He also referenced his loyalty during Tottenham's Premier League relegation battle last season, saying he expected similar respect in return. Richarlison added that he remained under contract and available to the club despite the uncertainty, while also expressing hope that a deal between Spurs and Everton could still be reached to facilitate his return to Goodison Park.
De Zerbi, however, appeared to close the door on Richarlison's Tottenham future when explaining his absence from the matchday squad for Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United. "Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave," the Italian coach said. Earlier in August, De Zerbi had struck a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging the difficulty of replacing a player of Richarlison's profile, but the club's stance has since hardened.
Richarlison's omission comes shortly after Tottenham strengthened their attacking options by signing Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush on loan, with the Egyptian replacing him in the starting lineup against Newcastle. The Brazilian had started Spurs' opening-day Premier League defeat to Brentford but has since been frozen out of first-team plans entirely.
Having joined Tottenham from Everton in 2022 after initially moving to the Toffees from Watford in 2018, Richarlison was Spurs' leading scorer in the Premier League last season, netting 11 goals and adding four assists in 32 appearances as the club narrowly avoided relegation on the final day. He is now entering the final year of his contract in north London.
Elsewhere in Tottenham's squad news, there was more encouraging information for supporters regarding injury returns. Mohammed Kudus has been included after recovering from a thigh problem that sideled him since January, having already made a substitute appearance against Newcastle. Dejan Kulusevski, meanwhile, continues his recovery from a persistent kneecap issue that kept him out for the entirety of last season, though De Zerbi is expected to manage his return with caution, and the Swede is not anticipated to feature in matches in the immediate future.
Based on reporting from Independent Football, BBC Sport, and Standard Sport.