Richarlison axed by De Zerbi at Tottenham: £35m valuation and the Turkish deadline race

Richarlison's name disappeared from the Tottenham squad list ahead of the weekend's fixtures. No injury, no suspension. Only a decision from Roberto De Zerbi, who has completely axed the Brazilian striker from his plans for the current Premier League season. On Saturday, De Zerbi confirmed that Richarlison had asked to leave "too many times". And when an Italian coach says that, it means the door is permanently closed. But the story is not over, because the Turkish transfer window remains open until Friday, and Trabzonspor are waiting. According to Goal.com (AFP), Tottenham have set a £35 million valuation for Richarlison, but have yet to receive an acceptable offer. His contract has one year remaining, plus a 12-month option. With the English market closed, Richarlison is completely isolated from the first team. Meanwhile, Trabzonspor have had a bid rejected, and they are racing against time to improve their offer before the Turkish window shuts. If successful, Richarlison would reunite with Mohamed Salah and Fabinho, who have already moved to Turkey this summer. However, a major obstacle has emerged: a return to Everton collapsed earlier because Richarlison rejected the personal terms offered by his former club. Let's start with the £35 million figure. It is not an arbitrary price. For a 27-year-old player with one year plus a 12-month option, that price reflects a reality: Tottenham want to recoup their initial investment, but they also don't want to keep a player who lacks motivation. In 2026, I priced rumours. Now, rumours price me. But here, the £35 million sits on the boundary between reason and recklessness. If no offer meets that level, Richarlison will sit on the sidelines until January, and his value will keep dropping. It is a gamble both sides know. Trabzonspor have had a bid rejected, and they are racing against time. The Turkish market closes on Friday, and without an improved offer, the story will hit a dead end. I no longer chase breaking news. I chase the reason why breaking news is lit. Here, the reason lies in Trabzonspor's urgency and Tottenham's stubbornness. One side needs a top-class striker, the other needs cash. But the market has no villains, only latecomers. And the latecomer here might be Richarlison himself, who rejected a return to Everton over personal terms. Tactically, axing Richarlison may not be just about his transfer request. De Zerbi is known for possession-based football, but possession is the most deceptive metric. Many teams grind out 60% with meaningless sideways passes. I cannot assess whether Richarlison's playing style fits De Zerbi's system, because there is no data on xG, PPDA, or in-game usage. But one thing is certain: when a player is completely isolated from the first team, it is a management signal, not a tactical one. De Zerbi chose exclusion to send a message to the dressing room. Richarlison's contract includes a 12-month option, meaning Tottenham could keep him until the summer of 2026. But if they don't sell now, they lose him for nothing next year. This is a classic transfer market puzzle: sell cheap now or keep the player and accept the risk. With Tottenham having signed Omar Marmoush, they already have a replacement. That shows they planned ahead. Excluding Richarlison is not just a disciplinary decision; it is a financial one. Tottenham are trying to protect their asset's value, but they are also creating a toxic environment for the player. Richarlison responded with an emotional Instagram statement: "After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me." It is a powerful statement, but it also shows helplessness. He couldn't decide his move to Everton, and now he's trying to take control by going public. However, in modern football, the real controllers are those with money. This statement may make other clubs wary of his attitude, but it could also be a way to pressure Tottenham. Trabzonspor are not an ordinary destination. The Turkish club has become a magnet for players looking to leave major leagues. The presence of Mohamed Salah and Fabinho is proof. For Richarlison, reuniting with two former Premier League teammates could be an attractive factor. But the question is whether they can meet the £35 million price. The Turkish market rarely pays such large fees, and having a bid rejected once shows the gap between the two sides. However, with the window about to close, pressure is mounting on both sides. The biggest risk for Tottenham is that Richarlison will sit out until January without playing. That not only reduces his value but also affects his form. If he doesn't play, he can't maintain fitness and sharpness. And when the winter window opens, his value could be halved. That's a risk Tottenham need to consider. Moreover, being isolated could affect his chances of being called up to the Brazil national team. The national coach will struggle to select a player who isn't playing regularly. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Richarlison needs game time. That adds pressure on both him and Tottenham. Looking back at history, there are many cases where players were axed but still sold at good prices. But there are just as many that ended bitterly. Arthur-Pjanic taught me that a deal can die on the pitch but still live on the books. Here, Tottenham are trying to keep this deal alive on the books, but it is dying on the grass. Richarlison's agents are also playing a key role. They are the ones creating noise in the market. But that noise can distort a player's true value. The cheapest rumour is the one we want to hear most. And this story is being inflated by both sides. There are three possible scenarios. First: Trabzonspor improve their offer and reach an agreement before Friday. Second: no offer comes, Richarlison stays and is isolated until January. Third: Tottenham lower the price at the last minute to sell. Each scenario has its own consequences. But one thing is certain: the transfer market never stands still. De Zerbi, who arrived at Tottenham with a reputation as a progressive tactician, faces a difficult puzzle. He needs to build a team based on his philosophy, but also manage dressing-room relationships. Axing Richarlison may be a way to assert authority, but it could also cause division if other players feel insecure. In modern football, a coach is not just a strategist but also a personnel manager. And De Zerbi is learning that lesson the hard way. Tottenham's financial situation is also notable. The club has invested heavily in new signings like Omar Marmoush, and they need to sell players to balance the books. Keeping Richarlison on a high wage without playing is wasteful. So they might accept a lower fee at the last minute. But if no offer comes, they will suffer a big loss at the end of the season. This is a no-win situation. As for Richarlison, he is gambling with his career. Being isolated from the first team for a long period can affect his form and value. He was once an important player for Tottenham, but now he stands on the brink. The Instagram statement may be a way to regain control, but it could backfire if other clubs see him as a difficult player. In football, patience is often rewarded, but impulsiveness is not. The contrarian view: maybe Tottenham's insistence on £35 million is a deliberate strategy. By creating a bidding war between Trabzonspor and other clubs, they hope to push the price higher. But with the English market closed and only Turkey open, they are putting themselves in a weak position. An isolated player, not playing, with a public statement against the club, is an asset losing value fast. If they don't sell now, Tottenham will face a much worse scenario in January. Ultimately, this story is not just about Richarlison. It is about how clubs handle players who no longer want to stay. It is a delicate dance between power, money, and honour. And when the curtain falls on Friday, we will know who the winner is. But one thing is certain: in football, no one truly controls their own future, unless they have a favourable contract and a good agent. Richarlison is learning that lesson, and we are witnessing it.