'Special' signing Ornstein thinks Tottenham are going to make would be even better than Raphinha - opinion

By Sam Preston

Richarlison is now reportedly more of a priority target for Tottenham than Raphinha, and he could be a better fit too.

The Athletic report that Arsenal are the firm favourites to sign the wideman from Leeds and are set to firm up their interest next week.

The same article says that Tottenham’s top attacking target is Richarlison, who was so key in Everton’s Premier League survival last season.

Tottenham have been credited with an interest in Raphinha, but Fabrizio Romano says they are yet to bid for him.

Richarlison a better fit for Tottenham than Raphinha

That is not to say that one player is a better one than the other. That is subjective, and they play in different positions for different types of teams.

What they have in common is huge talent and huge passion to go with it, as well as the ability to stand out in struggling sides.

But one of the key facets any new forward Tottenham buy this summer has to have is the ability to cover for Harry Kane up front.

Richarlison – whose talent has been described as ‘special‘ – has far more experience as a central striker than Raphinha, and that is one reason why he is a better fit for Spurs.

Tottenham seem to be going down the route of getting a versatile forward this summer, who can help the side in other areas.

They could look for a pure centre-forward who would play second fiddle to Kane, but they have found that so difficult down the years because nobody of the right quality would sign up to deputise for someone who hardly misses a game.

So this looks to be the right approach. Gabriel Jesus was one potential option, but he looks Arsenal bound, with Raphinha also closer to the red half of north London now.

Earlier this month, David Ornstein said he thought Richarlison would end up at Tottenham this summer and if he does, that is a better signing for Spurs than Raphinha would have been.