Tottenham transfer news: Spurs reject Vasco offer for Richarlison ahead of Brazilian deadline

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly rejected an opening offer from Vasco da Gama for Richarlison as the Brazilian club race against the transfer deadline to find a solution for the out-of-favour forward.

Vasco are attempting to bring the 29-year-old back to Brazil after he was omitted from Tottenham's Premier League squad and removed from Roberto De Zerbi's immediate first-team plans.

According to Brazilian outlet ge, the Rio de Janeiro club submitted an offer worth around €10m (£9m) without bonuses, but Spurs turned down the proposal.

Negotiations have not ended, however, with Vasco sporting director Admar Lopes and president Pedrinho continuing discussions with Tottenham over an improved package.

Time is becoming a major factor, with the Brazilian transfer window closing on Friday and Richarlison having few alternative routes to secure regular football before January.

A loan had initially been explored, but Tottenham are unable to sanction another temporary move abroad after reaching the FIFA limit on players loaned to clubs from other associations.

That has forced Vasco to pursue a permanent transfer instead.

Vasco still pushing for Richarlison after Tottenham rejection

Vasco are reportedly prepared to structure a deal that would make the transfer financially manageable, potentially including payments beginning in 2027 and spread across several years.

The Brazilian club have also been encouraged by Richarlison's openness to the move.

However, the striker is not believed to want to commit himself to a long-term return to Brazilian football, creating another complication in negotiations.

Vasco are understood to be willing to accommodate that position, potentially allowing Richarlison to explore another move in 2027 should an opportunity emerge.

The club nevertheless regard the Brazil international as a player capable of significantly strengthening their attack.

Lopes publicly confirmed their interest this week, describing Richarlison as someone who could raise the level of the team.

Tottenham's rejection of the opening offer means the two clubs still need to bridge the financial gap before the deadline, but Vasco have not abandoned the deal.

The situation is complicated further by Richarlison's ongoing contractual dispute with Spurs.

His representatives are reportedly exploring legal action aimed at terminating his Tottenham contract after the forward was left out of the Premier League squad and faced the prospect of training away from De Zerbi's senior group.

Vasco, though, are not currently planning on that process providing the solution and are instead attempting to reach a conventional transfer agreement with Tottenham.

De Zerbi distances himself from Richarlison future

Richarlison's position has deteriorated rapidly since the beginning of the season.

He started Tottenham's Premier League opener against Brentford after receiving praise from De Zerbi during pre-season, but he subsequently disappeared from the Italian's plans.

De Zerbi has maintained that Richarlison had made his desire to leave clear during pre-season and has now distanced himself from responsibility for resolving the situation.

Asked about the Brazilian's future ahead of Tottenham's meeting with Everton, De Zerbi said: “I don't know. I don't know. It's not my job.

“Everything I can say is that I know what the club did for Richarlison and what Richarlison did for the club in the last months.

“He knows, his agent knows, the club knows, better than you. Much better.”

The relationship between the two sides had already become increasingly strained after an attempted summer exit failed to materialise.

Everton were among the clubs linked with Richarlison, while Trabzonspor also explored a deal before the Turkish transfer window closed without an agreement.

The forward later publicly disputed the suggestion that his refusal to return to Everton was solely responsible for one proposed deal collapsing, insisting that any departure also had to be right for Tottenham.

His omission from the Premier League squad then significantly reduced his immediate prospects in North London.

Vasco have now offered the clearest remaining route to regular football before January, but Tottenham's refusal of their first proposal has left all parties facing a tight deadline.

Unless a compromise is reached before the Brazilian window shuts, Richarlison could remain at Spurs without a Premier League place while the wider dispute over his future continues.