Richarlison’s return to Everton is now being slowed by wages and contract issues, while the club have already agreed a £4.2m move for Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Sky Sports reporters have said a reunion with Tottenham looks very unlikely, and the two clubs are still exploring a loan after permanent talks stalled.

The Richarlison deal is still stuck

The sticking points are clear enough. Any move depends on who pays the Brazil forward’s wages, and unresolved legacy payments the player believes he is still owed by Spurs have delayed talks over a deal in the region of £25 million plus add-ons.

That delay sits awkwardly against how little he has played so far. Richarlison has made only one appearance this season and has played 68 minutes, which is one reason the market around him feels open but far from settled.

Al Myers of Sky Sports News said: "It is my understanding that Richarlison will not be coming to Everton; he is more likely to go to Saudi Arabia."

Michael Bridge added: "But as it stands, it does look very unlikely that the destination will be Everton."

Everton's wider deadline-day business

Richarlison is not the only moving part. Everton’s agreement for Maitland-Niles gives them a versatile addition, with the 28-year-old able to play at right-back or in midfield, and it shows the club are not waiting on one deal before doing other work.

Myers also said Everton expect Jack Grealish back for a medical on Tuesday morning on a season-long loan, while Folarin Balogun is being lined up in a move worth £40m plus £5m in add-ons.

The Richarlison story still has a pull because of the club connection, and the player has not hidden that feeling, calling Everton his "beloved club" and saying he has asked to leave "too many times". Even so, the reporting coming out now points away from Goodison Park and towards another destination.

The deadline-day picture is likely to change again before it is done, but the current read is straightforward: Everton have one deal in place with Maitland-Niles, while Richarlison’s future remains tied up in wages, legacy payments and a move that now looks unlikely to be Everton.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →