Zerbi Says Tottenham "Don't Know" Whether Richarlison Will Stay or Leave, As the Brazil Forward "Sometimes" Wants to Move

Roberto de Zerbi says Tottenham "don't know" whether Richarlison will stay or leave, as the Brazil forward "sometimes" wants to move on after his stoppage-time winner in Saturday's Sydney Super Cup. The 29-year-old scored a last-minute goal as 10-man Spurs beat Chelsea 2-1 in a high-profile friendly at Accor Stadium. With Richarlison entering the final year of his contract, De Zerbi was asked about his future and said: "I don't know because I like him as a player and as a guy.

He's unbelievable in terms of attitude and behaviour. But, in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do. Pressed on whether the attacker wanted to leave, the Italian added: "I didn't understand well because sometimes he says he wants to stay, sometimes he wants to leave.

We have to speak anyway. There is not any problem. He's a lovely guy.

De Zerbi was keen to stress Richarlison's professionalism and impact in a chaotic campaign that saw Spurs battle relegation, with the striker scoring 12 goals. "He's still an important player because it's not easy to find another striker like Richarlison, he said. "He scores goals.

He knows the way. With any new striker, we don't know. He scored 12 goals last season, not because of luck but because he knows how to score.

All of us love him, the team-mates, the club and the staff because he works hard every day, seriously every day. The situation unfolds against the backdrop of Spurs' record-breaking £237m transfer window, which is set to continue with the pursuit of two more attackers. One is understood to be Manchester City's Savinho, while Liverpool's Cody Gakpo has also been linked.