Richarlison continued his knack for delivering big moments for Tottenham Hotspur, coming off the bench to snatch a 2-1 win over Chelsea in Saturday’s pre-season friendly despite Spurs playing over an hour with ten men. Sandro Tonali had put the Lilywhites ahead early, only for Estevao to level things up with a header. Things got tougher for Thomas Frank’s side after the break when Kevin Danso was shown a straight red for pulling back Joao Pedro, but Richarlison made the most of a rebound off the post from Jamie Donley to slot home the winner into an empty net.
It caps off a productive pre-season for the Brazilian forward, who also found the net against Auckland FC. Yet despite his early-season form and a standout Premier League campaign last term — where his 11 league goals comfortably topped the Spurs charts, well clear of Joao Palhinha’s five — there’s a growing sense that Richarlison could be shown the door this summer.
His overall numbers at the club don’t make for the best reading, with just 27 league goals in four years since his £60m move from Everton, though that still edges out Dominic Solanke, who has managed only 12 league goals since the start of last season. With just twelve months left on his contract, Richarlison is reportedly among those who could be moved on before the transfer deadline. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has admitted uncertainty over the forward’s future, acknowledging his admiration for the player’s attitude and quality but conceding that everyone involved is aware of what Richarlison wants, and that his wishes will ultimately be respected.
Should Richarlison depart, ENIC may already have a replacement in mind. The search for De Zerbi’s marquee attacking addition continues, especially after Tottenham’s interest in Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi stalled due to the youngster’s injury setback. Victor Osimhen has also been loosely linked, though nothing substantial has emerged there.
Instead, attention has turned to Ferran Torres, the Spanish World Cup final hero, with reports out of Spain suggesting Spurs have already made contact over a potential deal for the Barcelona forward. Complications remain, though, chiefly Tottenham’s lack of European football next season, while Arsenal are said to be leading the race for his signature, with Paris Saint-Germain also monitoring the situation. With only a year left on his Barcelona deal, Torres could be available for around €50m (roughly £43m).
That would represent good value for a player who recently played a starring role in Spain’s World Cup triumph over Argentina, netting a crucial extra-time volley to take his international tally to 25 goals in 65 caps. Domestically, Torres enjoyed a strong campaign as Barcelona won the league title, scoring 16 goals from just 23 LaLiga starts under Hansi Flick — a return of roughly a goal every 120 minutes, compared to Richarlison’s rate of one every 178 minutes last season.
Torres isn’t without his flaws, having squandered 20 big chances in the last campaign, but his overall output speaks for itself: 16 goals in 43 appearances during a brief stint at Manchester City, and 65 in 207 games for Barcelona overall. Since the start of last season alone, he’s racked up 40 goals in all competitions, more than double Richarlison’s tally of 17 over the same stretch.
Whether Torres can replicate the influence of a Harry Kane at Tottenham remains to be seen, but on the numbers alone, he’d represent a clear upgrade on what Spurs currently have leading the line.
