Richarlison was one of the most important players in Everton’s relegation battle. The Brazilian netted six goals in last nine games to cap off another brilliant season with Everton, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in 33 games this season.
Richarlison has taken the role of a talisman and has always given his absolute best for the club. Relentless, selfless, industrious and one of the most passionate players to dawn the Everton jersey, fans love the character of the Brazilian.
The Toffees narrowly escaped relegation but they might not be able to escape the offers they are about to receive from big clubs for the 25 year old. In the past, giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG have been interested in the former Watford man. Richarlison is a supreme talent and the elite clubs of Europe are keen to snatch him away from Everton.
Even though the Brazilian has a contract till 2024, Everton may have to part ways with him sooner, possibly this season. At the moment, Everton cannot offer the 25 year old any form of European football so if a Champions League playing club arrives with a big offer and the player decides to leave for European opportunities, no one should hold anything against him.
The player recently changed his agents as he wanted to explore opportunities in the summer. In an interview during international duty, Richarlison dropped hint about his future saying a decision will be made in June. Real Madrid were linked but reports have now revealed that the Champions League winners will not indulge in signing the Brazilian.
3 potential destinations for Richarlison
Everton forward Richarlison was linked to PSG last summer too
1. PSG
The whole Real Madrid saga is over and Kylian Mbappe is set to stay in Paris. However, changes are expected in the PSG lineup as Angel di Maria departs this summer and Neymar Jr.’s future is also uncertain. If Neymar leaves PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaifi will turn to Neymar’s compatriot Richarlison, as per some reports.
PSG have dominated the French scene but their shortcomings in Champions League have often been exposed. Their long standing dream of European glory hit another setback this season as they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Real Madrid, even though the Parisiens were one of the favuorites to lift the big eared trophy.
PSG is a side that can pay big bucks for Richarlison and if the player does intend to go to a club that features regularly in the Champions League, Everton need to maximize the opportunity to generate maximum cash.
There will be a huge void to fill and Everton will have to invest smartly in the market. At PSG, the Brazilian will regularly fight for domestic titles and win majority of them but will also have a solid chance to win UCL as the French giants aim to assemble a strong squad capable of challenging for the coveted trophy.
Richarlison has admirers in Germany
2. Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski looks poised to leave Bayern Munich as he has a verbal agreement with Barcelona. Bayern Munich have a huge gap to fill the role that Lewandowski carried out – scoring goals left, right and centre.
Even though Bayern are pushing to sign Sadio Mane, Richarlison has been touted as an alternative. Mane is set to leave Liverpool and Bayern are favourites to sign him. However, even Serge Gnabry is touted to leave the Bavarians and Richarlison could still be a target for Bayern.
The Brazilian is capable to play as a striker as well as on the wings which allows Everton to have a fluid attack. At Bayern, the 25 year old can cause havoc with players like Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich around him.
Replacing Lewandowski’s 30 odd goals per season is a big task and in fairness, it cannot be done by one man alone so banking on Richarlison to produce a 30+ goal season is a bit too much to ask. His best stats were in 2019-20 when he scored 15 goals.
The former Watford man is capable of producing 20 goals but needs such service. In Muller, Sane and Coman he will have goals set up on a silver plate. Again, Everton should be able to command a decent fee from Bayern should the Bavarians indulge in signing the Brazilian.
Tottenham were tracking Richarlison and Everton’s situation
3. Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte has guided Tottenham Hotspur to Champions League football next season which looked an impossible task at one point. Conte isn’t a manager to be content with a top four spot and is working hard to make Spurs competitive on all fronts.
According to a previous report from Mirror, Spurs were keeping an eye on Richarlison as they followed the situation of Everton closely during the relegation battle. The Toffees have managed to secure safety but that shouldn’t hinder Spurs from launching an offer for the Brazilian.
Their interest seems a bit unjustified at the moment as Harry Kane and Heung-min Son are ruling the hearts at Tottenham. Dejan Kulusevski is also settling well so how Spurs would incorporate Richarlison into the team remains an unanswered question.
But Conte does see Richarlison as an asset to have and perhaps a formation change will allow him to incorporate the Brazilian if he eventually ends up there. Though it seems very unlikely that Everton will sell Richarlison to any English club.
Richarlison is loved by Everton fans for his passion and dedication but if a strong offer comes for him and he’s made up his mind, allowing him to leave would be a wise decision. After what he’s done, he’s earned the right to decide his future and given that Everton cannot offer him Champions League football, it would be comprehensible if he left.
He’s already spoken to Frank Lampard and sooner or later news will be out if he is going to continue at Everton or not.