Mohamed Salah has become involved in Trabzonspor’s attempt to sign Richarlison from Tottenham, with the Turkish club working to complete a late deal before the country’s summer transfer window closes on Friday evening.
The Brazilian forward is considering his future after his prospects at Tottenham became increasingly uncertain following the closure of the transfer window in England. Trabzonspor are seeking to take advantage of the situation, but time is running out to reach an agreement with the Premier League club.
According to ESPN, Salah and his new Trabzonspor team-mate Fabinho have both contacted Richarlison in recent days in an effort to persuade him to move to Turkey this summer. Their involvement is understood to be part of the club’s wider push to convince the 27-year-old that Trabzonspor is the right destination for the next stage of his career.
Richarlison is believed to be open to a new challenge, with the current situation at Tottenham providing little encouragement for him to remain in north London. However, people close to the player are reportedly not particularly optimistic that the transfer can be completed before the Turkish market shuts at the end of Friday.
Trabzonspor are continuing negotiations with Tottenham and have tried to persuade the English club to release the striker. Their latest proposal, worth 20m euros, was rejected by Tottenham, leaving the Turkish side needing to improve their offer or find another way to conclude the talks before the deadline.
If Trabzonspor fail to agree terms in time, Richarlison could still consider other possibilities. One option would be a move to the Saudi Pro League, whose transfer window remains open until 12 October. Alternatively, the forward could wait until January, when the European transfer market reopens.
The Brazilian’s time with Tottenham now appears to be moving towards an end, although the circumstances surrounding his departure have not developed in the manner either side would have wanted.
Tensions have emerged between Richarlison and Tottenham’s management over the way negotiations about his future have been handled. That disagreement has reportedly left the player disappointed with the position taken by the club’s officials.
The forward’s situation has also been affected by the stance of head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The manager has made clear that Richarlison is not part of his plans for the current season, with the player initially placed in training with the under-21 side.
Richarlison was then left out of Tottenham’s registered squad for the Premier League, further underlining the likelihood that his relationship with the club is nearing its conclusion.
For now, Trabzonspor remain focused on trying to complete the deal before Friday night’s deadline. Salah and Fabinho’s efforts could help the Turkish club make a final breakthrough with Richarlison, but Tottenham’s rejection of the 20m-euro offer means the outcome remains uncertain.
