Tottenham are bracing for offers for their centre-forward Richarlison, who has garnered significant interest from the Saudi Pro League.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs in his exclusive for GiveMeSport, Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah are prepared to bid around £60 million for the Brazilian international. If Richarlison departs, securing a new striker will become a ‘top priority’ for Spurs, with Jonathan David, and Santiago Gimenez named as two possible targets.
The Lilywhites have been exploring alternative options to enhance the attack. One notable target is Lille’s Jonathan David.
The Canadian striker, who is entering the final year of his contract, is expected to be available for around £25 million.
Another player on Tottenham’s radar is Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez. However, sources have denied any ongoing bids for Brentford’s Ivan Toney or Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke.
Richarlison’s stint at Spurs has been somewhat turbulent. Following Harry Kane’s departure last summer, there were high expectations for Richarlison to step up as the main striker.
However, he struggled to find his form initially, going scoreless in the first four games and dealing with mental health issues that impacted his performance.
His fortunes changed when he scored nine goals in eight league games between December and February, demonstrating his potential.
Despite this resurgence, Richarlison has yet to fully justify his €58 million transfer fee from Everton, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 66 appearances for Tottenham thus far. (Transfermarkt)
Though his contract runs until June 2027, Spurs might consider selling him to fund his replacement.
As the transfer window continues, Tottenham will closely monitor Richarlison’s situation and potential reinforcements to bolster their attacking ranks.
Tottenham’s iconic striker Jermain Defoe has announced his decision to step down from his role as the under-18s coach at the club.
Defoe confirmed that he has left his position to explore new opportunities in his post-playing career.
Taking to social media to announce his decision, he said:
“For the past two seasons I have thoroughly enjoyed my coaching time at THFC. Today I leave this incredible club, and I want to say thank you to all the amazing people in the building who have helped me learn and grow.
“It has been a pleasure to achieve so much at Spurs including reaching UEFA A coaching status which was always an ambition of mine following my playing career. Spurs will always hold a special place in my heart and the fans already know how much the club means to me.
“However, now is the right time for me to move on and shape the rest of my coaching and managerial career, nevertheless I will forever remember my time at Spurs fondly. All great journeys eventually come to an end and I wish everyone at the club nothing but the best for the coming season and the future. Until next time.”
The 41-year-old, who has been a significant influence in the Spurs youth setup, is keen to pursue a senior managerial role.
This move marks a significant step in Defoe’s transition from player to coach, closing an important chapter in his illustrious career.
Defoe’s playing career is highly celebrated. He started with Charlton Athletic’s youth team before moving to West Ham United at 16, where he quickly established himself as a talent.
In 2004, Defoe joined Tottenham Hotspur and became a fan favourite. After a brief stint at Portsmouth, he returned to Spurs in 2009, cementing his legacy as a club legend. He scored a remarkable 143 goals and provided 31 assists in his 363 appearances for the Lilywhites. (Transfermarkt)
Defoe retired as one of the Premier League’s top scorers, holding the record for the most goals scored as a substitute and ranking among Tottenham’s highest goal scorers.
In his coaching career, Defoe returned to Spurs in August 2022 as a club ambassador and academy coach. His tenure as the under-18s coach has been marked by his dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent.
As Defoe moves on to further his coaching career, the club and its supporters wish him the best and look forward to his future successes.
