Richarlison has reportedly agreed to join Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Vasco da Gama, but the move can’t proceed because Tottenham Hotspur have already reached their limit for international loans.
The Brazilian International turned down a new Tottenham contract in the summer and requested to leave the club, with Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi confirming the North London side had to turn the page to sign another striker. Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush joined to take Richarlison’s place not only in the squad but also in registration.
Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reports that the 29-year-old forward is open to joining Vasco, the club he supported as a child. Returning to Brazil on loan seemed like a good chance for Richarlison to play more often after being left out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad for the first half of the season.
However, the deal cannot go ahead as Tottenham have already loaned out six players to clubs outside England this season, the maximum allowed under international transfer rules. Pape Matar Sarr and Guglielmo Vicario are among those who joined Juventus. As Spurs cannot sanction another international loan, a permanent transfer is the only route for Richarlison to join Vasco during the current Brazilian window, which closes on Friday evening. Whether the Rio de Janeiro club possesses the financial resources to purchase the striker remains uncertain, particularly given his salary and Tottenham’s likely valuation.
Richarlison’s future has been widely discussed after a tough end to the summer transfer window. Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi said the Brazil international wanted to leave, and Turkish club Trabzonspor also looked into signing him. However, no deal was made before the Turkish transfer window closed.
A move back to Everton fell through with Richarlison reportedly unable to agree to terms on the deal, and with Tottenham adding more attacking players over the summer, he has dropped down the pecking order and might only train or play for the club’s under-21 team until January.
Moving to Vasco would mean a lot to Richarlison emotionally. He started his senior career at América Mineiro and later played for Fluminense, a rival of Vasco. Still, Richarlison and his family have talked about their fondness for the São Januário club.
Unless Vasco can negotiate a permanent purchase before their transfer deadline, Richarlison appears likely to remain in north London until the European transfer market reopens in January, leaving him with no senior football for 6 months.
