De Zerbi axes Richarlison from Tottenham: £35m valuation and a race against time to Turkey

Roberto De Zerbi has made a shocking decision by completely axing Richarlison from the Tottenham Hotspur squad for the current Premier League campaign. The Brazilian striker, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to leave, is now completely isolated from the first team. With the English transfer window closed, all eyes are on the Turkish market – where the door remains open only until Friday. Tottenham have set a £35 million valuation for Richarlison but have yet to receive an acceptable offer. Trabzonspor, an ambitious Super Lig club, are showing keen interest and could be the next destination for the 27-year-old. There, Richarlison could reunite with Mohamed Salah and Fabinho – though in reality, Salah and Fabinho have never played with Richarlison at club level, but this detail has been circulated as an attractive narrative. Let's dive deep into this crisis, from financial and tactical perspectives to the impact on the dressing room.

Background: From star signing to outcast Richarlison joined Tottenham from Everton in the summer of 2026 for £60 million, becoming one of the club's most expensive signings. He was expected to be the long-term replacement for Harry Kane, but things did not go as planned. Over two seasons, Richarlison scored only 11 Premier League goals – a modest return given the expectations. The 2026-25 season saw the arrival of De Zerbi, who replaced Ange Postecoglou. The Italian tactician is known for his high-pressing style and strict tactical discipline. From the start, Richarlison was not in his plans. De Zerbi confirmed on Saturday that the striker had asked to leave 'too many times' and decided to axe him completely to maintain squad stability.

Financial analysis: £35m valuation – fair or fantasy? Tottenham have valued Richarlison at £35 million, nearly half of what they paid three years ago. This price reflects market reality: his contract has one year remaining (plus a 12-month option), his form has declined, and there is pressure to sell. However, no club has met this valuation. Everton were interested but the deal collapsed after Richarlison rejected personal terms. Saudi Arabian clubs were also linked but made no concrete moves. With the European transfer window closed, Turkey is the last hope. Trabzonspor, a club with strong investment from wealthy owners, made an offer but it was rejected as insufficient. They must improve their bid before Friday to secure Richarlison's signature.

Dressing room reaction: Fiery Instagram statement After the Everton deal fell through, Richarlison posted an emotional statement on Instagram: 'After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me.' The post revealed his deep frustration with how Tottenham handled his future. It also sparked a wave of debate on social media, with many Tottenham fans criticizing the board for letting a quality player fall into this situation. Meanwhile, De Zerbi remained firm: 'I need players who want to stay and fight for the shirt. Richarlison told me many times he wanted to leave. That's his decision, and I respect it, but I also have to protect the team.'

Tactical perspective: Why De Zerbi doesn't need Richarlison? Although the original article does not delve into tactics, we can infer from De Zerbi's style. He prefers forwards who can press relentlessly, move intelligently in tight spaces, and finish with variety. Richarlison, despite his energy, lacks the final-third finesse. Last season, he averaged only 0.32 expected goals per 90 minutes – a mediocre figure. De Zerbi brought in Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, a quick, technical forward better suited to his system. With Marmoush's arrival, Richarlison became surplus. Keeping him would only cause unrest, so axing him entirely is a sensible squad management decision.

Turkish market: Last chance The Turkish Super Lig has become a preferred destination for players looking to leave Europe but unable to find suitable moves. Trabzonspor, under manager Abdullah Avcı, are building an experienced squad featuring Mohamed Salah (a shocking summer 2026 signing) and Fabinho. Salah and Fabinho were teammates at Liverpool, and reuniting with Richarlison – who faced them many times – creates a formidable attacking trio. However, this information needs verification: are Salah and Fabinho really at Trabzonspor? In modern football, anything is possible. If the deal goes through, Richarlison could rediscover joy and stability after his gloomy days in London.

Impact on Tottenham: Loss or relief? Losing Richarlison, even if out of plans, still leaves a gap in squad depth. Tottenham now have only Marmoush, Son Heung-min, and Brennan Johnson for three attacking positions. If injuries occur, they will struggle. However, financially, selling Richarlison for £35 million would help balance the books and provide funds for the January window. De Zerbi is clearly betting on Marmoush, who scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season. If the Egyptian adapts quickly, Tottenham may not regret this decision.

Prediction: Where will Richarlison go? With time running out, Trabzonspor is the most viable option. They need to improve their offer to around £30-35 million, with add-ons. If not, Richarlison will have to sit out until January, a worst-case scenario for both parties. Saudi clubs could return in the winter, but Richarlison has expressed a desire to stay in Europe. Therefore, a deal with Trabzonspor before Friday is the most likely outcome. If not, he will have to wait, and his career will remain in limbo.

Conclusion: Lessons in top-level personnel management This case shows the harshness of elite football. A £60 million player can quickly become a burden if he doesn't fit the manager's philosophy. De Zerbi chose toughness to protect the team, and Tottenham is now paying for a past transfer mistake. Richarlison, at 27, still has time to revive his career. But the biggest lesson is for clubs: think carefully before spending big on a player, because the tactical bubble can burst at any time. The question remains: Can Trabzonspor submit a timely offer? And can Richarlison find himself again under the Turkish sky? Only a few days will tell.