Tottenham have now put a (new) price on Richarlison as Vasco da Gama scramble to find a way to get a deal done.
The figure is €20m (£17.3m). ESPN Brazil says that’s the minimum Spurs want before they’ll start discussing a permanent transfer.
That’s an interesting number given what happened with Trabzonspor. Tottenham recently rejected €15m (£13m) plus another €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses from the Turkish club. Now €20m (£17.3m) is being presented as the starting point for talks.
The structure of any offer obviously matters, but Spurs’ difficult position with Richarlison may be starting to have an effect.
Vasco come up with payment plan
Vasco now know what they’re dealing with, and reports in Brazil explain how they’re trying to make the numbers work.
Club insider outlet Atenção Vascaínos say the club have already presented Tottenham with their proposals and possible structures, just like we covered earlier.
Their offer would include a significant payment upfront. The bigger chunk, though, would be pushed into 2027. Vasco expect to have their new investor on board by then, giving them considerably more financial room.
President Pedrinho and executive Marcos Lamacchia are said to be personally involved. Vasco’s directors are keeping quiet publicly because they don’t want to damage negotiations. One club source told the outlet: “The deal is still alive. There’s not much to say.”
There’s potentially some outside help as well. The same source says CAA Base, the company looking after Richarlison’s career, are helping with the operation.
They reportedly have former Tottenham officials among their staff and other business to settle with the London club. Atenção Vascaínos also say the agency are due around £1m (€1.15m) from recent transactions involving Spurs.
The suggestion is that their relationship with Tottenham could help Vasco get a deal done without paying such a huge amount immediately.
Richarlison’s agents were with him in London on Tuesday. According to the report, they came away convinced he wants to return to Brazil and get his career moving again.
Another source close to the player said: “Rick has always had this dream. He knows he can be very happy at Vasco. There’s no lack of effort to make it happen.”
More money – and competition – entering the picture
However, Atenção Vascaínos bring another financial angle. They say Vasco’s main sponsor Sportingbet has become involved in trying to help finance the transfer. The report goes further and says the company could cover a large part of the operation.
It also claims Richarlison is so excited by the possibility that he’s already asked for Vasco’s number 10 shirt. That’s currently vacant after Philippe Coutinho’s departure earlier this year.
There are some big claims there, so we’ll see how much of that survives what is now a very fast-moving negotiation.
The thing is Vasco aren’t the only option either. ESPN Brasil say Shabab Al Ahli, managed by Brazilian André Jardine, have shown interest in Richarlison. Atenção Vascaínos also report an offer from another UAE club, Al Jazira. And their transfer window remains open until September 28.
Decisions, decisions
In the end there’s still a rather strange disagreement over what Richarlison actually wants.
ESPN maintain that the Middle East currently appeals to him more and say he has little interest in returning to Brazilian football. Reports around Vasco say almost the complete opposite.
Richarlison’s representatives are said to have detected a clear desire to return to Rio, while Tottenham teammate Savinho publicly revealed this week: “He told me he wants to go to Vasco, man…”
Whatever the truth there, Tottenham’s position is now much clearer. They won’t loan Richarlison and €20m (£17.3m) gets a club to the negotiating table.
Vasco have until Friday to find a way of making that number work. They’re now throwing payment plans, outside financial help and Richarlison’s own desire into the attempt. It’s becoming quite a big – and messy – operation.
