Tottenham: Sky Sports pundit reacts January transfer window update on Richarlison
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Tottenham cannot afford to contemplate a Richarlison exit during the January transfer window “regardless of the size of the offer”, says Paul Robinson.
The Telegraph reported on 19 December, before the Daily Mail did likewise on 31 December, that Saudi clubs are interested in signing the Brazilian forward, but with Ange Postecoglou dealing with injuries and club captain Son Heung-min away at the Asian Cup, Robinson says any move has to wait for the summer.
The former England keeper doesn’t think that the former Everton man is the long-term answer up front for Spurs, but since he is displaying some of his best form for the club since his £60million move two summers ago [Sky Sports] after five goals in his last five Premier League appearances now isn’t the time to part with him.
Saudi Pro League sides have spent huge money in the past year tempting stars from the European game, and a deal for Tottenham to make all or most of their money back on Richarlison might be attractive, but Robinson is clear that the club can’t jump at the opportunity midseason.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News he said: “It’s hard to do any deal like that in January where Spurs are, especially with Son leaving for the Asian Cup and the players the manager has got at his disposal who aren’t injured.
“To lose Richarlison in January, he’s just started to score goals. He’s playing well, he’s playing a lot better than he has done previously in a Spurs shirt.
“Is he the answer for 20-25 goals a season? No, I don’t think he is. Is he the long-term answer as a striking option? No.
“But as a player that’s in the squad who’s playing well at the moment, in a squad that’s threadbare and losing more players in January with injuries, there’s no way that they can let Richarlison go.
“Regardless of the size of the deal, regardless of the finance, unless another player can be found. But it’s hard to deals in January, and it’s hard to get big deals over the line to replace him, to get a like-for-like or a better player would be difficult.
“If Richarlison is to leave it’ll be a summer move, not a January move.”
In other Tottenham news, the Brazilian was ruthlessly mocked by a former Premier League striker after baffling Ian Wright.