Could Richarlison Return To Everton?

FT Desk

• 8 Mar 2026 04:09 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Evertonians have had little to shout about over the last decade, they have had a litany of relegation scraps, a tearful farewell to their old home ground, where they played for over 120 years, and the club, who were once a giant of English football have found themselves relegated to the periphery of the English game.

One shining light throughout this period was the adulation the blue half of Merseyside showered on Richarlison during his four-year stint at the club. Now, ideally, Spurs will be reluctant to part ways with the Brazilian international, as he is one of the few players who actually perform for them, and has managed 8 goals in 23 games this season as Tottenham flirt perilously with the idea of being relegated from the top flight for the first time since 1977.

However, if they do go down, Richarlison is very unlikely to stay, and there will be no shortage of Premier League teams looking to acquire his services.

Could Spurs Go Down?

A month or two ago, the idea that the Spurs could find themselves in a relegation battle was laughable, quite frankly. The sportsbooks had them at distant odds to go down, close to 25/1. However, they have plummeted in form and with injuries and have brought in a manager meant to galvanize the team, but who has done the opposite. The sportsbooks now have Spurs as low as 3/1 to get relegated after their 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

Generally speaking, betting odds are a great way to gauge how likely an outright market is to play out. Ozoon sportsbook is one of many brands that have seen the odds on Spurs’ relegation chances slashed over the last few weeks.

Their form, coupled with the winning form of Forest, Leeds, and West Ham, has meant that more sportsbooks are picking them for the drop. It’s a precarious position that Tottenham hasn’t found themselves in for decades, but as the money piles in from a betting perspective, we also know how quickly these components can change.

If the Spurs do end up in the Championship next season, then a host of their attacking talents will be looking to stay in the top flight, which will accelerate the chances of Richarlison finding himself back at his old club. However, if Richarlison is instrumental in keeping them up, then this could add millions to his price tag if he still wants to leave come summer.

Cost & Risk – Examining The Trade Off

For Richarlison to return to Everton, there needs to be a situation that suits all parties. It’s a question that has not gone away, with the move away from Everton being a tough one for all parties. The fans adored him and still do; he often posts his social media channels about Everton, and you only need to look at his replies to see how much a return would boost morale.

Looking at Everton’s form this season, they have been quietly and confidently going about their business. Only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have a better away record so far this season, as we go into game week 30. Despite the struggles the new stadium has brought, they do need more goal threats going forward.

The loan duo of Tyrique George and Jack Grealish have given Everton options going forward, and while Thierno Barry has found some form after an extremely slow start to the season, many Evertonians believe their striking options are too limited.

“He Only Cost 50 Million”

In a terrace chant that is now synonymous with Richarlison, another sticking point could be the price tag. The £60 million that Spurs spent on him is a fee they are unlikely to recoup. If Everton can make a late push for Europe and bring in the money that comes from finishing in the top 6, these rumours will gather momentum.

If they combine this while selling some of their attacking players like Beto and Dwight McNeil, who had one foot out the door in January, then this could pave the way for a spectacular return for a player who Evertonians still have huge admiration for. It’d be remarkable to see him back in an Everton shirt, and there are few people on the blue half of Merseyside who would disagree.

Assessing The Likelihood

Ultimately, Richarlison's return to Everton depends on how Spurs see the rest of the season, whether they can avoid the drop, and if Everton will have the financial firepower of a European finish to bring the cash to the table.

There are other teams sniffing around, and Richarlison may also fancy playing in other leagues. There’ll be no shortage of teams in Europe looking to get his signature, including teams further afield, such as in Saudi Arabia and the MLS.

In the summer, everything will be much clearer, but with Everton not necessarily ruling out an audacious return for the Brazilian icon and Spurs in a position where they could be strapped for cash on their way to the second tier, it is a story that could quickly gather momentum. It could also be the big money signing that helps cement Everton’s push to become the latest additions into the top six, or even the top four.