MLS club Orlando City present huge project to Tottenham forward Richarlison ahead of potential swoop in 2026
Tottenham Hotspur ushered into a new era under Thomas Frank in the summer, and the Dane has made a quick mark at White Hart Lane.
The Hotspur Way chiefs brought in some exciting players to the club during the summer transfer window. They also offloaded many players, while several of them left on loan. One player who was placed on the chopping block in the summer was Richarlison.
Richarlison struggled with injuries under former boss Ange Postecoglou and when fit, barely made an impact on the pitch. Yet, the Brazilian received widespread interest from several parts of the world in the summer. The forward was heavily linked with a return to Everton, while Turkish giants Galatasaray had lined him up as an alternative to Victor Osimhen. Brazilian teams were looking into his availability too, but the player wanted to stay at Spurs.
Fabrizio Romano says Orlando City make Richarlison No.1 transfer priority
It was revealed on Wednesday that Major League Soccer club Orlando City were interested in signing Richarlison during the summer transfer window. However, a move failed to materialise over Tottenham’s potential €40 million valuation.
Now, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest update on Orlando City’s interest in Richarlison. He says Orlando City directors flew to London and met with those close to the Tottenham forward. The MLS club’s interest in the 28-year-old is genuine and the officials have presented their project to his representatives. No proposal has been made as yet nor any financial terms have been discussed, added the Italian.
“Orlando from MLS made… not a contract proposal, but a long-term vision approach for Richarlison,” Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“Orlando with their directors arrived in London in the recent days and met with people close to Richarlison to present a potential project for the future. So Orlando have an interest and ambition in trying to sign Richarlison.
“It’s still very early, no formal proposal, no financial terms discussed… basically what Orlando wanted to do was to tell Richarlison ‘we like you, we’re interested in you, let’s see what’s going to happen for the near future.’
“So Orlando have genuine interest in Richarlison.”
Richarlison’s future remains up in the air
Richarlison’s time at Spurs has been marred with injuries and poor form. The arrival of Thomas Frank in June has seen him enjoy a new lease of life in north London, with the forward netting three goals in five starts so far. Yet, he cannot be relied upon for regular supply of goals, and if Tottenham intends to challenge for top prizes in the coming years, they have to find an upgrade on the 28-year-old.
The versatile forward wanted to stay at Spurs ahead of the World Cup year, but with his contract expiring in 2027, the Hotspur Way chiefs must try their best to move him on next term. Orlando City have an ambition to make Richarlison the face of their attack, so it will be interesting to see whether the Brazilian accepts their proposal in 2026 if they genuinely table one.
