Richarlison’s time at Tottenham Hotspur appears to be coming to an end, with the club actively working to secure a departure for the Brazilian striker.
His proposed move to Trabzonspor collapsed before the Turkish transfer deadline, leaving him in an increasingly difficult position at Spurs.
Richarlison was left out of Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad after making it clear that he wanted to leave during the summer.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has also revealed that the 29-year-old rejected the chance to extend his contract at the club.
The striker is now training away from the senior group and cannot play in the league before the squad lists are updated in January.
It is a dramatic fall from grace for a player who finished last season as Tottenham’s leading Premier League scorer, registering 12 goals in 43 appearances.
Richarlison had hoped to return to Everton, with the two clubs holding talks during the closing stages of the English window, but that move collapsed after Manchester City signed Iliman Ndiaye, ending a wider agreement that had linked the two deals.
Trabzonspor then offered him an escape route, with reports claiming that Mohamed Salah and Fabinho spoke to the forward about joining them at the Süper Lig club.
However, Trabzonspor had no available foreign player place after completing a move for Franculino Dju from Midtjylland, and were unable to move another overseas player out before the window closed.
Saudi Arabia is now said to be the most advanced possibility, with several clubs showing interest and the country’s window remaining open until October.
Agents are already in talks with a few Saudi sides over a potential deal, pushing hard to find a resolution before time runs out.
Discussions have also taken place over possible moves to Brazil and Portugal, with the Brazilian window due to close next Friday and clubs in Portugal having until September 15 to complete their business.
Either destination would reportedly require Tottenham to approve a loan or find another financial solution relating to the final guaranteed year of Richarlison’s contract.
Tottenham strengthened their attack with Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk before the English deadline, while Dominic Solanke and Mathys Tel also remain available to De Zerbi.
That leaves Richarlison firmly on the outside looking in, regardless of the contribution he made during the previous campaign.
Tottenham do not want a major earner sitting outside the squad, while Richarlison needs regular football after pushing so strongly to leave.
A Saudi move could keep the door open for longer given the extended window, making it the most likely resolution to an increasingly complicated situation.