Tottenham once considered Richarlison to be the long-term successor to Harry Kane but that plan is at risk of failing due to the Brazilian’s potential move to Saudi Arabia. Reports claim that the Spurs forward is the latest star being lined up for a big-money switch to the Middle East.
Iconic striker Kane was allowed to join Bayern Munich in a £100million transfer ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. A replacement for the England captain, who struck a record 278 goals for Spurs, was not signed ahead of the transfer deadline.
Instead, Spurs put their faith in former Everton man Richarlison after Kane’s exit. The 26-year-old scored only one Premier League goal in 2022-23, but his arrival in the summer of 2022 was widely thought to have been with Kane’s potential departure in mind.
Spurs and new head coach Ange Postecoglou backed Richarlison to lead the line at the start of the season. He endured a frustrating start to the campaign, perhaps feeling the pressure of being the man chosen to replace Kane.
He scored just once in the top-flight before a pubic injury forced him to undergo surgery. The Daily Telegraph reports that the £60m signing is now being lined up by the Saudi Pro League, alongside Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho. The move would leave Spurs short but could now be a move they might consider.
It is claimed that Spurs turned down interest from Al-Ittihad in the summer, who at the time were managed by former boss Nuno Espirito Santo. There was zero chance that Postecoglou would have sanctioned a departure for the Brazil international, with he and Son Heung-min the only recognised strikers at the club.
But nearly six months on, Spurs are realising that Richarlison might not be the man to replace Kane. They might be tempted to discuss a departure in January or next summer, knowing that a huge transfer fee would pay for a world-class replacement for their former captain.
Postecoglou was keen to play down comparisons between Richarlison and Kane. “I don’t know that there’s that much of a burden there to carry. Ultimately, this football club needed to change,” the Australian said in August.
