Richarlison’s Tottenham Hotspur future is growing shakier as Roberto De Zerbi’s squad revamp picks up pace, with the Brazilian increasingly tipped as one of the names who could depart during the club’s high-intensity summer overhaul.
Once seen as a key attacking presence, Richarlison now sits at the heart of transfer talk following Spurs’ heavy spending across several positions. With De Zerbi given strong financial backing in the market, competition for starting spots is heating up, casting real doubt over the forward’s future role.
Former Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy thinks Richarlison could be among those sacrificed as the club reshapes its identity, viewing the striker as a potential casualty of the broader rebuild.
The speculation comes amid one of Tottenham’s busiest transfer windows in years. Having already spent big to bolster midfield and defence, De Zerbi is said to be pushing for further additions before the window shuts — including more attacking depth and a new goalkeeper.
That puts Tottenham at a crossroads with Richarlison: keep him on as experienced attacking cover, or sell while his value remains high and reinvest the funds into signings who better fit De Zerbi’s system.
Nobody questions Richarlison’s effort, commitment or love for the shirt — the doubts instead centre on whether his skill set truly matches the demands of De Zerbi’s preferred style.
The Italian wants a fluid, possession-driven attack built on constant pressing, sharp movement and a centre-forward who can deliver week in, week out. Tottenham’s decision-makers now have to weigh up whether Richarlison can consistently meet those demands across a full season.
Murphy points to Dominic Solanke as a better fit for what De Zerbi wants, citing his pressing work rate and willingness to lead the front line — though Solanke’s injury history gives Spurs pause about depending on him alone. That uncertainty only sharpens the focus on where Richarlison stands. The club is determined not to repeat a season undermined by injuries, patchy form and tactical trade-offs up front.
With De Zerbi demanding more from every part of the squad, tough calls are becoming unavoidable. Richarlison chipped in with crucial goals last season that helped drag Spurs through rough patches, but the club’s ambitions have moved on since then — this is no longer about survival, but about competing near the top of the Premier League, and the summer’s transfer business tells that story clearly.
Marquee signings like Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have overhauled the midfield, while technically sharp defensive additions have been brought in to suit De Zerbi’s possession-based approach. Against that backdrop, every current squad member is being measured against the manager’s long-term vision.
The next few weeks look set to be pivotal for Richarlison, as Tottenham weigh whether he remains central to De Zerbi’s project — or whether letting him go would clear the path for the next stage of the club’s attacking rebuild.
