Trabzonspor reached an agreement in principle on personal terms with Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison. However, the two clubs could not agree on a transfer fee, and the move collapsed with the closing of the Turkish transfer window.
According to a report by Daily Mail Sport, the Süper Lig side made a £20 million offer for the 29-year-old star. Richarlison himself was keen on leaving England and moving to Turkey. Tottenham's management, meanwhile, had been in talks to send the player to Everton for £35 million and were also attempting to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Sheffield United for £60 million.
Why did Richarlison want Trabzonspor?
Richarlison was Tottenham's top scorer last season with 11 Premier League goals. He scored 12 goals across all competitions. This performance stood out following the departures of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson in three of the last four seasons. The player said in a social media post, "I am the villain of many poorly told stories." He also stated, "I decided that no one will ever again decide my future for me."
These words were a strong indication of his desire to take control of his career and seek a fresh start. Trabzonspor's offer responded to that desire. Yet the financial gap between the clubs proved insurmountable.
What is Trabzonspor's current situation?
The transfer attempt came during a difficult period for Trabzonspor. The team won only one of its opening three league matches and currently sits 11th in the Süper Lig with 4 points. Its form from the opening three-game stretch was Win, Draw, Loss. The team has scored 4 goals and conceded 4 this season, playing with a 0 goal difference, and trails leaders Galatasaray by 3 points.
Its form over the last five official matches reads 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses. The most recent match, against Kasımpaşa on 15 August 2026, ended in a 1-1 draw. The team's next fixture is away against Samsunspor, who are 10th in the table, on 11 October 2026. You can follow the full match schedule on our fixtures page.
Did the manager change have an impact?
The Richarlison transfer attempt came immediately after a change in the managerial position at Trabzonspor. The team had been knocked out of the Europa League play-off round by Ferencvaros with a 5-0 aggregate defeat. Following this result, manager Fatih Tekke announced his resignation. The club's board agreed to part ways with Tekke.
This situation created uncertainty in transfer strategy and player recruitment. Making a major transfer decision before a new manager was appointed was challenging. You can review the current squad structure and team needs on our squad page. The team's standings position, finishing 11th, also indicates a need for offensive reinforcement.
When did the Turkish transfer window close?
The Süper Lig summer transfer window officially closed on Friday. This was the final deadline for the Richarlison operation. Trabzonspor's offer was presented to Tottenham for consideration but was not accepted. The English club demanded a higher fee for the player.
The £20 million offer was well below the £35 million figure discussed in Tottenham's talks with Everton. This difference became the biggest obstacle to the deal. Trabzonspor has now been forced to look elsewhere for a striker. The team's next match is away at Samsunspor on 11 October.
