Brazilian forward Richarlison has asked to leave Tottenham Hotspur and was omitted from the squad for their Premier League match against Newcastle United, according to manager Roberto De Zerbi. The development comes as the summer transfer window approaches its final hours ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline, casting immediate doubt on the 29-year-old’s future in north London following a turbulent spell since his 2022 arrival.
Matchday Omission and Managerial Reaction
Tottenham played Newcastle at St James’ Park, falling 2-0 on Saturday, Aug. 29, without their veteran forward in the matchday squad. Speaking after the final whistle, De Zerbi confirmed that Richarlison was left out of the team because he had explicitly requested a transfer away from the club.
The situation represents a swift shift in squad dynamics. Richarlison started Tottenham’s opening league fixture against Brentford as the team’s central attacking option, a role where he finished as the club’s top scorer in the previous domestic campaign. However, club recruitment has already begun to move past the Brazilian, with recently acquired Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush stepping into the lineup after transferring from Manchester City.
De Zerbi had previously addressed uncertainty regarding the forward’s commitment during the club’s pre-season preparations in July. At the time, the Italian manager remarked that the player’s intentions fluctuated between wanting to stay and wanting to leave, though he praised the forward’s professionalism on the training ground.
Performance Form and International Stakes
Richarlison arrived at Tottenham in July 2022 following a high-profile stint at Everton, where he established himself as a talismanic figure for the Merseyside club. Yet, consistency proved elusive in the capital. Stiggles with form and physical fitness hampered his output, preventing him from locking down a permanent, undisputed spot in the starting XI across multiple managerial cycles.
That dip in club-level momentum carried significant international consequences. The forward missed out on selection for Brazil’s squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle, a glaring absence for a player who previously starred as the Seleção’s central figure during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Transfer Window Timeline and Next Fixtures
With the Premier League summer transfer window scheduled to slam shut on Tuesday, Sept. 1, sporting directors across Europe face a narrow window to broker a permanent sale or a loan agreement for the forward. Whether a suitor emerges to meet Tottenham’s valuation before the deadline remains to be seen.
Tottenham return to domestic action on Saturday, Sept. 5, hosting Nottingham Forest at 11:00 AM Brasília time (14:00 UTC) in their final fixture before the September international break.
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