Richarlison shows his true Tottenham colours as Everton transfer return truth laid bare

football.london understands that Tottenham Hotspur would entertain a considerable bid for in the summer due to the player's struggles with availability since joining the club.

The 27-year-old striker, who Spurs signed from Everton for £60m in July 2022, has only featured 20 times for the Lilywhites across all competitions this term, . He's missed a large chunk of the campaign due to various injuries.

Richarlison had a spell on the sidelines at the start of the season, missing three big games against Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester United. Shortly after returning from the treatment room, , keeping him out of action over the festive period.

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He enjoyed a brief cameo at the start of the year, scoring two goals in four Premier League games, before picking up a calf issue. Then, last month, to Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, on the European stage, . Richarlison provided the assist fro Brennan Johnson's opener in the first leg of the semi-final against FK Bodø/Glimt, which Spurs won 3-1.

He also played a role in the north Londoners' 2-0 victory in the return fixture on Thursday evening before coming off for Mathys Tel after an hour. After the game, Richarlison expressed his delight with the win, chucking his coat into the crowd and hurling a Spurs scarf.

Despite his unwavering passion and best efforts when called upon, in Ange Postecoglou's side. He sparked speculation of a potential return to Everton at the start of the year.

Richarlison marked Tottenham's final visit to Goodison Park, which ended 3-2 to the Toffees, with . After the game, .

He wrote: "I feel very fulfilled for all the 83 times I’ve stepped onto this pitch. Where I played the most and scored the most goals in my entire career. Today, for the last time. Thank you, Goodison Park!"

Richarlison was also linked with an exit from Tottenham last summer, but he quickly put any speculation to bed. Speaking to ESPN Brasil in May 2024, as quoted by the , he said: "We presented a much more dynamic and, let’s say, more elegant and beautiful football than last season.

"But we have evolved, we have evolved a lot and I believe that. As of this week, it has already been announced that the coach will make changes, so I believe that next season he will be putting together a much more competitive team."

While Richarlison faces an uncertain future at Tottenham, Postecoglou seems to still be an admirer. Last month, the Spurs boss revealed that the forward had caught his eye in training.

Eager to keep Dominic Solanke fresh for the latter stages of the Europa League, . Speaking to reporters following Spurs' 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the quarterfinal, the 59-year-old heaped praise on the former Chelsea and Liverpool striker for his decisive penalty.

He said: "I was delighted for him. He took his penalty really well. Don’t underestimate the pressure he was under in that moment, taking a penalty away in Europe knowing how significant it is, right in front of the most vocal part of their fanbase."

Postecoglou added: "Important goal for us, important player for us, and we missed him when he was out, and when he was out Richy was out and that was a big hole in our team.

"Richy is another one who is going to get some game time in the next couple of games because he's looking really good in training, but Dom’s been super important."

Richarlison went on to feature in each of Tottenham's next three games in the Premier League. He was given a pair of starts in the first and second legs of the semi-final against Bodø/Glimt.

The Brazilian will be hoping he's done enough to earn a place in the lineup for the final at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, later this month...