Published Sep 11, 2026, 7:19 PM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years, specialising in transfer analysis, Premier League reporting and the business of football.
 

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to begin his journalism career at Snack Media, now Valnet.
 

Emilio has a particular interest in football finance, recruitment and the business behind the modern game. In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

The striker made his desire to leave clear during the summer.

Roberto De Zerbi offered the striker the chance to extend his contract, but Richarlison declined. Tottenham then left him out of their 25 man Premier League squad after strengthening their attacking options before the deadline.

That decision created an uncomfortable situation.

Richarlison remains tied to Spurs at least until next summer, but he has no route back into their league plans before the squad lists can be changed again.

A possible return to Everton failed to materialise during the final hours of the English window. Trabzonspor then pushed to take him to Turkey, only for that proposed move to collapse as well.

Once the Saudi Arabian window closed, Brazil appeared to offer his best remaining escape.

Vasco da Gama moved quickly, and the emotional attraction was obvious. Richarlison has previously spoken about his affection for the Rio club, while the chance to play regularly would protect his sharpness and international ambitions.

The original idea involved a short loan until the end of the Brazilian season. However, Tottenham had already reached FIFA’s limit of six international loans, forcing Vasco to explore a permanent purchase instead.

Tottenham reportedly rejected an opening offer worth around £9m, then Vasco returned with a package understood to contain £13m in guaranteed money and another £4m in possible bonuses, taking the overall value to roughly £17m.

The transfer deadlock then took an extraordinary legal turn.

Reports claimed Richarlison’s representatives were examining whether he could seek an early termination through FIFA’s rules on sporting just cause.

That would not have guaranteed an immediate release, and any challenge risked a lengthy argument over his status and Tottenham’s financial loss, so an agreed sale always offered the cleaner solution.

Now, Brazilian reporter Leo Lacerda has a big update on that.

Tottenham reach agreement with Vasco over Richarlison with green-light awaited

Lacerda reacted firmly to confusion surrounding the negotiations and claimed Tottenham and Vasco have already reached an agreement over his transfer.

According to his information, in fact, the only outstanding decision belongs to Richarlison.

That represents an important change in the story.

Previous reports had suggested Richarlison was keen on joining Vasco and that Tottenham were the party still waiting to approve the finances.

Lacerda’s update places the situation the other way around.

The possible explanation is the difference between a temporary homecoming and a permanent commitment. Richarlison reportedly welcomed a Vasco spell until December, but was less certain about moving there indefinitely.

Vasco have been pushing for a contract stretching well beyond the current Brazilian campaign.

There has still been no official confirmation from either club, so the proposed move can't be seen as done.

Time is now the biggest enemy, with Brazil’s transfer window closing tonight, leaving little room for further hesitation, paperwork or another change of direction.

For Tottenham, an agreed sale would bring in a useful fee and remove an unhappy player from an awkward position.

For Richarlison, saying yes would provide football, a welcome in Rio and an immediate end to the threat of months on the sidelines.

After weeks of waiting for Tottenham’s approval, Lacerda claims the final call has passed to the player, so his answer will decide whether this chaotic saga finally ends or drags all the way to January.