With Europe's major transfer windows now closed, attention across the Premier League has shifted toward off-field developments and early positioning for the January market, with Tottenham forward Richarlison at the centre of one of the most pressing sagas.
The Brazilian appears to be running out of options for a swift resolution to his Spurs exit. With transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia already shut, Richarlison was left out of manager Roberto De Zerbi's Premier League squad list, with the head coach instead prioritising injured pair Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons. That leaves the 29-year-old facing the prospect of an extended spell without competitive football unless an alternative route emerges before January.
A return to Brazil remains a live possibility, with reports earlier this year suggesting a verbal agreement had been struck with Flamengo, though nothing concrete has since materialised. Richarlison began his career in Brazil with America Mineiro and Fluminense, and Vasco da Gama supporters have launched their own campaign hoping to lure him home. A short-term loan to a Brazilian Serie A club could offer him a route back onto the pitch.
Another possible avenue involves reuniting with Marco Silva, who took charge of Benfica this summer and has a longstanding relationship with the forward, having managed him at both Hull City and Everton. The pair embraced warmly following Spurs' 2-1 defeat at Fulham in March, with Silva praising his former player: "He was a special player for me. I brought him to this country and after for the second club as well. He's going to be always special." However, Benfica's summer signing of Jhon Duran, combined with Silva's other attacking options, may complicate any move, even though Portugal's window technically remains open until September 15.
With Russia and Mexico's transfer windows also closing this week, Richarlison's remaining alternatives are narrowing rapidly. Failing a breakthrough, he could be limited to featuring for Tottenham's Under-21 side until the winter window arrives.
Elsewhere, Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister has spoken candidly about his contractual situation at Anfield, revealing he has not yet been offered fresh terms despite entering the final two years of his current deal. Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, the Argentine midfielder admitted the situation had affected him emotionally, after watching teammates Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai sign lucrative new contracts over the summer.
"There was a chance (I could leave in the summer) as everyone knows. I received the news the club had made a decision not to offer me a new contract, which of course makes me very, very sad," Mac Allister said, while stressing his continued commitment to the club.
On the business front, Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson addressed the club's £75million sale of Bruno Guimaraes to newly-crowned champions Arsenal, calling the exit "disappointing" but confirming satisfaction with the financial terms secured. "We did not want to lose Bruno Guimaraes," Wilson told Sky Sports. "That was really disappointing that we got to that place in the end, albeit we were happy where we got to in terms of numbers."
Meanwhile, Arsenal continued to strengthen for the future by confirming the signing of teenage striker Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace, who joins as a first-year scholar and will sign professional terms upon turning 17. Bernard scored more than 40 goals in Palace's academy system last season and has already represented England at Under-16 level.
Attention is also turning toward January, with Liverpool and Chelsea both said to be scouting Monaco's Lamine Camara after a proposed £47million move to Chelsea collapsed on deadline day. Arsenal and Manchester City were also reportedly present when scouts watched the midfielder in Monaco's 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Based on reporting from London Standard (standard-football).