Richarlison demands respect from Spurs as Manchester City hijack Ndiaye deal ends Everton return hopes

Richarlison has publicly demanded that Tottenham treat his situation with respect after Manchester City’s move for Iliman Ndiaye effectively ended the swap deal that would have returned the Brazilian striker to Everton this summer.

City agreed a deal in principle worth £65 million for the 26-year-old Ndiaye, with the Senegal international expected to undergo a medical on Tuesday. The agreement came just as Richarlison took to Instagram to make his frustrations clear, having been heavily linked with a return to Everton as part of a package that would have sent Ndiaye to north London.

“After everything I’ve gone through in recent years, I decided that NEVER AGAIN would they decide my future for me,” Richarlison wrote. “Pressure, threats, retaliation — none of that scares me. I’ve been through worse things… believe me!”

The 29-year-old, who joined Spurs from Everton in 2022 under Antonio Conte, made clear that any departure would need to work for both parties. “I have always made it clear, at every opportunity, that my departure to another place would also have to be good for the club. If it wasn’t, I would never accept it,” he said. “I hope they treat my situation with the same respect that I have always had for Spurs.”

Despite the breakdown in negotiations, Richarlison confirmed he would honour his contract. “Despite this turmoil, I have a contract with Spurs and I will be at the club’s disposal,” he added.

The striker’s position at the club has come under increasing scrutiny following the arrivals of Dominic Solanke, Omar Marmoush, and Savio, with manager Roberto De Zerbi now having several attacking options ahead of him. Richarlison has scored 32 goals in 134 appearances for Tottenham, but started the new season on the periphery — Marmoush was the central attacking figure in their second-game home defeat to Newcastle.

Ndiaye, meanwhile, had declined multiple contract extension offers from Everton last season before City moved to secure his signature. With that route now closed, Tottenham have made an enquiry about a potential loan move for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, though Richarlison’s own future remains unresolved.