Roberto De Zerbi insists there are no regrets at Tottenham about the handling of Richarlison‘s future – with the forward rejecting the chance to move to Vasco da Gama in Brazil, according to reports in the country.
The Brazilian was left out of De Zerbi’s squad after rejecting a move to Everton before the transfer deadline, which caused a move for Iliman Ndiaye to fall through.
One of his final hopes of getting out of the north London club was a move to his homeland, but it is reported that there is no agreement on personal terms, despite expectations from Vasco that Tottenham would be open to a deal.
It is understood a three-and-a-half-year deal was on offer for the 29-year-old, but that he is not currently looking to move back to Brazil.
After the Ndiaye deal fell through, Spurs turned instead to sign Mykhailo Mudryk who was injured in training this week and out for up to two months.
‘I am sorry because I have one player less on the list,’ said De Zerbi. ‘Richarlison is a good guy. I spoke with him a lot and spent time trying to convince him to stay.
Roberto De Zerbi (left) has responded to Richarlison’s (centre) threat of legal action against Tottenham
‘But I know the truth. I know what happened in the last month, the last 45 days and I know the behaviour of Richarlison. And it’s clear.
‘I can’t explain it because it’s not right but I’m sorry because it could have been different and in a different way it could have been better.’
Richarlison, top scorer last season for Spurs with 11 Premier League goals, has been exploring legal action to have the final nine months of his contract nullified amid interest from Brazil.
Spurs have not scored in their first three games of the season and did not have a shot on target in the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest last week.
De Zerbi is certain there are enough goals in his team however and challenged Omar Marmoush to shoulder more of the burden.
‘Marmoush is playing well,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘In Nottingham he played a good game, not a fantastic game, not fantastic with the last decision. But he was alive and in the game. He seemed to be dangerous.
‘He is smart, understands football. In terms of goals, he is not Harry Kane but he can score more goals than he has done in the last two seasons.
‘About Manchester City, I don’t want to speak because not my experience but at Eintracht Frankfurt he scored lots of goals. If you analyse his qualities he can score more goals and has to demand more goals of himself.’
De Zerbi could look to pair Marmoush with Dominic Solanke in the search for the right chemistry in attack. ‘They can play together,’ he said. ‘When we signed Marmoush we thought he could play with another striker or alone.’
