Everton have been in the news a lot lately with intentions to sell Brazilian forward Richarlison to fuel a rebuild and a swap deal could be in the makes.
The Toffees will be losing perhaps their best player in Richarlison who just turned 25 in May. He made his start in the Brazilian league at Fluminense before making his Premier League debut at Watford. He then transferred to Everton in 2018 for over £35 million and his career has really taken off ever since.
Richarlison was already scoring goals for Everton at age 21. He had two of his best goal scoring seasons in his first two years with the club netting 26 goals. His third season was a bit of an off year but he bounced back to help the Toffees survive relegation this season.
Richarlison was especially excellent in the final stretch of games for Everton this season. He scored an impressive six goals in the last nine games which was vital to the club’s survival. Everton’s number seven will be greatly missed should he depart this summer.
Richarlison has been linked to a number of sides. English sides, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have shown concrete interest. In fact, Spurs are expected to launch a bid soon.
A Tottenham player swap appears to be an interesting proposition for Everton
Recent news has indicated that Tottenham are very interested in bringing Richarlison to their club and pairing him with superstars like Harry Kane. Spurs may end up selling winger Son Heung Min who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Tottenham have already brought in both Yves Bissouma and Ivan Perisic but Perisic is 33-years old and Bissouma is not a forward. The team is starting to lack younger options in their attack which makes Richarlison an intriguing option.
The North Londoners play in 3-4-3 which includes a single striker and two wingers in the attack. The Spurs can utilize Richarlison on the right wing and designate Kane for the central striker position. It’s a great fit for both the club and the players.
Everton must pursue one of Tottenham’s younger stars in a player plus cash swap deal in return for Richarlison. The first option that has attracted a lot of buzz is 26-year old midfielder Harry Winks.
Winks has been linked to the Toffees for weeks but his value stands far below Richarlison’s so Tottenham would have to pay north of £50 million in addition to giving up Winks to secure the Brazilian.
Winks is a player that has not received enough time on the pitch to reach his potential with his current club. The 26-year old English midfielder only played limited minutes in his 19 appearances and is further expected to slip down the pecking order after the arrival of Bissouma.
Winks would be a reliable starter in Meyerside despite his lack of success in Tottenham. He has plenty of room to grow and Everton will be able to utilize his talents since they have lost so many midfielders this season.
Another great option for Everton in a swap deal for Richarlison would be Steven Bergwijn. Bergwijn is a dutch winger who has a value of around £25 million.
The Toffees could use someone like Bergwijn to feed Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the centre. Bergwijn is only 24-years old and played in 25 matches for Tottenham in the English Top Flight. The Dutch native managed to net three goals in the league and one more during the EFL cup. Bergwijn would be an immediate starter for Everton and a great swap in a player plus cash situation.
Chelsea have shown interest in signing Everton ace Richarlison
The second suitor for landing Richarlison is Chelsea who have indicated they are willing to battle Tottenham for the striker. Chelsea are not willing to sell as many players as Tottenham but they have indicated a desire to spend money this summer.
The club is coming off a third place finish in the Premier League and looks to build on their current roster. The team will be in need of a new forward with Romelu Lukaku’s departure to Inter Milan all but in the history books. Richarlison would come in and bring similar production right away with higher upside than Lukaku who is 29-years old.
In exchange, Chelsea will have to offer either Conor Gallagher or Billy Gilmour and some extra cash. Conor Gallagher is the more talented of the two yet it would still take some extra to land a player as sought after as Richarlison.
Gallagher finished a highly successful loan spell with Crystal Palace this season and managed to have a fruitful season. The 22-year old netted eight goals in 34 matches and managed three assists as well. Gallagher had such a great season that he is even being considered for the World cup squad alongside many of the great English midfielders of our generation. Everton would be lucky to land such a great young talent. Manager Frank Lampard admires Gallaher’s profile.
Gilmour is a much less developed prospect who played for Norwich City this season. Gilmour appeared in 24 matches yet didn’t score and only managed one assist for a side who finished dead last and was relegated. Gilmour is a good prospect but nothing more than a future investment. Chelsea would have to pay a large sum in addition to Gilmour to make up for the fact that Everton would not be gaining a starter. Perhaps the young Scottish midfielder will prove his worth in the coming seasons.
Should the Toffees accept a player plus cash deal for Richarlison?