Trusted source reveals failed Chelsea ‘hijack’ of Tottenham signing, with Thiago Silva involved
Fabrizio Romano has detailed how Chelsea tried to sign Richarlison from Everton this summer, with Thiago Silva playing a crucial role.
Everton were always likely to sell either Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the recent transfer window. They needed to improve their financial situation and drum up transfer funds.
In the end, it was Richarlison who left Goodison Park. The forward joined Tottenham in July by signing a five-year contract with the club.
He cost Tottenham an initial £50million, though the deal could rise to £60m through add-ons.
Richarlison is competing with the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski for a starting spot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He has registered two assists in five Premier League matches so far, although four of these appearances have come from the bench.
Chris Sutton thinks Richarlison moving to Spurs is ‘one of the best buys of the summer’. This is because of how well he is linking up with Kane, alongside his impressive work-rate.
However, Paul Robinson thinks the Brazilian’s arrival in north London is having a negative impact on Son. The former keeper claims Son has ‘gone into his shell’ as he doesn’t like being substituted for Richarlison with a decent amount of the game left.
Richarlison wanted in west London
It could have been far different for Richarlison though if Chelsea managed to sign him. In his latest YouTube video, Romano explained how the Blues made an offer for Richarlison and that compatriot Thiago Silva tried to convince him to join.
“Chelsea tried to hijack the deal. They tried in a very serious way. Also with, I am told, Thiago Silva trying to tempt the player,” Romano said.
“But Richarlison made his decision, he wanted to join Tottenham. Everything was ready between [the two] clubs.
“Chelsea made a bid to Everton but the best proposal was from Tottenham. This is why it didn’t happen.”
Romano’s claim fits in with what the Daily Mail reported in June. They put Richarlison at the top of Todd Boehly’s wish list for a new striker.
It turns out Chelsea did send Everton an offer for the 25-year-old, but this didn’t match Spurs’ £60m total package.
Thomas Tuchel was hunting for a new number nine during the summer window, following Romelu Lukaku’s loan back to Inter Milan.
While Richarlison’s transfer to Stamford Bridge fell through, Chelsea have since sorted the striker position. They have given Armando Broja a new contract after his impressive loan spell at Southampton last term.
Chelsea land striker alternative
Boehly also brought in former Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a permanent deal from Barcelona. As per ESPN, the move is worth £10.3m (€12m). That is despite Aubameyang only joining Barca on a free in January.
It would have been interesting to see how Richarlison would have fared at Chelsea. Perhaps we will see that move happen in the future, but for the next few years he will look to impress at Spurs.
It will be hard for the attacker to get into the starting lineup ahead of Son, Kane and Kulusevski as they are Antonio Conte’s preferred front three. But Richarlison will stand a chance of making his mark once he gets his first Spurs goal.
Meanwhile, Tuchel has apologised after Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League opener.
