Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has been subject to links with a move away from Hotspur Way in the summer transfer window. The Brazilian hasn’t really found his stride at N17 since moving to the Lilywhites in a £60m move from Everton three seasons ago, given his time at the club has been a highlight of injuries and inconsistencies.
And it apparently looks like the chiefs at Hotspur Way are not ready to get through another season with him in the ranks. But if the Lilywhites are to depart with Richarlison, his dynamism and tactical versatility need to be replaced.
And here are three realistic options that the Lilywhites can consider if Richarlison is sold:
Georges Mikautadze
He has emerged as a potential target this summer as Daniel Levy looks to take advantage of Lyon’s potential relegation into the French second tier because of financial problems. And the 24-year-old who has been likened with Mbappe finished the 2023/24 season netting 17 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
We saw how the Georgian is a technically gifted forward who can be deployed in a second striker role, and given his intelligence in off-the-ball movements, he can be capable of playing as a false 9, second striker, or winger.
The 2000-born striker fits Thomas Frank’s high-pressing transitional style; as aforementioned, he would slot in as the second striker in a 3-5-2, or maybe he can rotate in a 4-3-3 as an inverted forward.
Mikautadze can thrive if he is integrated into a counter-attacking setup where he can make sharp runs in behind the defensive line, and moreover, he has a better goal conversion rate than Richarlison.
Mohammed Kudus
Another underrated option that could be considered to fill in for Richy is Kudus. While he is someone who is predominantly a wide forward that can play more centrally, the fact that he notched up a tally of 14 goals and six assists in the 2023/24 season and 9 goal contributions last season which shows that he has an eye for the goal, and he gives you that positional flexibility given that he is more mobile than Richy.
The Ajax academy graduate can play as a right-winger and attacking midfielder as well as a second striker. And if we are talking about it from Thomas Frank’s structural point of view, the West Ham ace can end up mirroring what Bryan Mbeumo did at Brentford, given how aggressive Kudus is in his pressing, and then he is also capable with his progressive carriers. I think he would be a great option given how he is capable of playing centrally as well as out wide.
And then he has that excellent ball retention ability, and his pressing resistance can end up being a couple of traits that Thomas Frank wants in his roster.
And he could be available with a £25m discount this summer, which can compound the North Londoners’ pursuit for his signatures.
Jonathan David
While Jonathan David has been advancing his transfer to Juventus, there is still time for Daniel Levy to get busy and acquire his signatures. Given that he is available on a free transfer and has been linked with a move to Tottenham for some time, he could be a transfer that Tottenham should be considering.
Given how he has been a consistent goalscorer in the French top tier, where he has had double-digit goal tallies every season since 2020.
David is also more composed in front of goal than Richy, and he gives you that better off-the-ball IQ. The Canadian international can rotate with Solanke or play alongside him in a two-striker system.