Key Points
- The future of Tottenham Hotspur’s forward Richarlison looks bleak in north London following the loss of form at the hands of manager Roberto De Zerbi.
- Vasco da Gama of Brazil has been rumored to be among the possible clubs for Richarlison with the player said to have put the go-ahead for a loan deal.
- Unfortunately, a loan transfer from Brazil is impossible since Spurs have exhausted the number of international players allowed by FIFA, which is six.
- The only way out now is a permanent transfer with the 29-year-old having only one year left on his contract.
- Previous permanent deals, such as his move back to Everton or Turkish club Trabzonspor, have all fallen through.
London, (North London News), September 9, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur are facing a critical transfer decision regarding Brazilian forward Richarlison after a potential loan exit route to Vasco da Gama was completely shut down due to regulatory limits. The 29-year-old attacker has found himself frozen out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following a clear fallout with manager Roberto De Zerbi, leaving club chiefs scrambling to find a permanent buyer before remaining global transfer windows close.
Why Has Richarlison’s Loan Move to Vasco da Gama Collapsed?
As reported by TEAMtalk, Richarlison’s hopes of securing a temporary switch back to his homeland with Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama have hit a definitive roadblock. Although initial indications suggested that the player was open to the idea of returning to South America, Brazilian news outlet ge.globo revealed that Tottenham communicated directly to the player that a loan move cannot be authorized.
The primary obstacle centers around strict international loan regulations imposed by FIFA. TEAMtalk outlined that Tottenham have already reached their maximum permitted limit of six players loaned out to clubs in other football associations. With north London fringe players and prospects such as Pape Matar Sarr at Juventus, Guglielmo Vicario at Juventus, Radu Dragusin at Fiorentina, Souza at Porto, Kota Takai at Sint-Truiden, and Yang Min-hyeok at KVC Westerlo currently occupying those international slots, Spurs are legally barred from sanctioning any further temporary departures abroad.
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What Went Wrong with Other Exit Routes for the Forward?
The breakdown of the Vasco da Gama option compounds a frustrating period of failed transfers for the former Everton man. Earlier in the transfer cycle, a proposed permanent return to Goodison Park collapsed alongside a complex swap framework that would have seen Iliman Ndiaye move in the opposite direction. Subsequent advanced talks regarding a lucrative switch to Turkish side Trabzonspor similarly fell apart at the final hurdle.
Consequently, Richarlison was left omitted from Tottenham’s Premier League squad list following the closure of the core European summer trading period, signaling a clear end to his active career under Roberto De Zerbi. With his contract in north London ticking down into its final 12 months, the club’s leadership is under immense pressure to recoup some of the hefty investment made when he originally arrived from Merseyside.
Can Tottenham Still Sell Richarlison Before the Window Closes?
While traditional European markets have slammed shut, alternative avenues remain open globally. The Portuguese transfer window stays open until September 15, and clubs within the Saudi Pro League retain the license to register new players until October 12. Nevertheless, because a temporary loan is now legally impossible under FIFA guidelines, any prospective suitor must commit to a permanent transfer.
Industry insiders note that buying clubs are fully aware of Tottenham’s desperate position to trim their wage bill and clear out an unwanted asset, which could force club chiefs to accept a significantly reduced, cut-price fee. Concurrently, letting the striker depart permanently leaves Tottenham’s frontline thin, particularly given the fitness record of Dominic Solanke and the recent arrival of Omar Marmoush on loan from Manchester City.
Background of the Development
The friction surrounding Richarlison’s tenure at Tottenham Hotspur stems from a combination of fluctuating on-field form, persistent fitness concerns, and a breakdown in strategic alignment since his big-money arrival. Having signed from Everton in July 2022 for a fee approaching £60 million including add-ons, the Brazilian forward struggled to consistently replicate the talismanic output he demonstrated on Merseyside. Despite flashes of brilliance—such as a prolific scoring streak during the winter months of the 2023–24 campaign—injuries and tactical shifts hindered his ability to lock down a permanent starting berth ahead of club stalwarts. The subsequent managerial appointment of Roberto De Zerbi and the arrival of alternative attacking options accelerated the internal divide, culminating in Richarlison being sidelined and actively marketed for a departure.
The failure to secure a loan move to Vasco da Gama and the restriction of FIFA’s international loan cap mean that Tottenham must secure a permanent agreement or risk retaining an alienated, high-earning asset through the first half of the season. For Tottenham Hotspur, this development forces a delicate financial and sporting compromise: accepting a heavily discounted transfer fee to clear the player off the books or keeping an unregistered player on the wage bill until the winter window opens. For Richarlison, the situation necessitates an immediate pivot toward permanent suitors in active markets—such as the Saudi Pro League or remaining open international leagues—if he is to salvage regular first-team minutes and preserve his international ambitions with the Brazilian national team.
