Report: Tottenham have now picked 'magnificent' player as first-choice next signing, would be a club-record deal

By Lee Connor

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to press on with their attempts to sign Everton striker, Richarlison, according to reports this weekend.

Spurs’ interest in the Everton star is well known already. However, Richarlison is just one of a number of names being mentioned in relation to a move to Antonio Conte’s side. Other players, such as Raphinha and Lautaro Martinez, have also been put forward.

However, according to The Athletic, Richarlison is now the first-choice forward on Tottenham’s list this summer.

Writing in the report, the well-respected David Ornstein says that while Arsenal are pushing to sign Raphinha, it is Richarlison who is the number one target for Spurs and Conte. Lauded as a ‘magnificent‘ player by Leon Osman, Richarlison’s departure from Everton would hit the Toffees hard.

For Tottenham, it’s likely to mean the club parting with a club-record fee. That currently stands at around £54m for Tanguy Ndombele, and Everton could demand as much as £60m to let Richarlison leave this summer.

Richarlison is said to be open to moving to another Premier League club. The striker is keen to keep his World Cup hopes alive though, and regular football could be a big factor in his next decision.

TBR’s View: Tottenham Playing The Long Game With Richarlison?

That could very much be what Fabio Paratici is up to here. He’s known for having plenty of plates spinning at the same time and he could be prepared to wait for Richarlison.

If Arsenal get Raphinha, that will likely conclude their summer spending. That leaves Tottenham with an almost free run at the Everton man, with the likes of Barcelona said to have cooled their own interest.

So, while it might take time and take a record fee, Spurs could well end up pulling off a masterstroke in landing Richarlison eventually.