The summer's wildest saga is finally reaching its finish line - and it's a homecoming nobody saw coming. Richarlison is on the verge of completing a stunning return to Everton, with the Brazilian forward undergoing his medical at Finch Farm this morning after a chaotic 72 hours on Merseyside.
Spurs have verbally agreed to sell the 29-year-old for an initial £42 million, with a further £8 million in performance-related add-ons pushing the potential total to £50 million. Tottenham have also pocketed a 15% sell-on clause as part of the deal, a concession that helped Everton navigate their wage-bill headaches.
Richarlison is expected to sign a five-year contract running until June 2031, with an option for a sixth season. Personal terms were ironed out on August 29, leaving only the medical and mountains of paperwork between this deal and the 11:00 PM deadline tonight.
The 'Turmoil' Behind the Transfer
Everton's Striker Hunt Collapsed Before Richarlison Emerged
This hasn't been a straightforward reunion. Far from it. The word "turmoil" hasn't been thrown around lightly - it's been a week of pure chaos on Merseyside.
Everton boss Sean Dyche had two primary striking targets lined up as the window entered its final stretch. First came Chelsea's Armando Broja, but that move imploded over wage demands. Then Eljif Elmas emerged as the backup plan, only for that deal to fall through when Everton couldn't structure a financially viable package. Two strikes, two misses, and the clock was ticking.
That's when the Richarlison opportunity exploded onto the scene. The Brazilian, who spent four unforgettable years at Goodison Park between 2018 and 2022 before his £60 million switch to North London, had been frozen out under Ange Postecoglou.
The Spurs boss made the situation crystal clear in his pre-match press conference on August 29: Richarlison was "not in his plans" for the upcoming season. The arrival of Jonathan David had pushed the Brazilian further down the pecking order, and Tottenham were "working with Everton to find a solution."
For Spurs, this is pragmatic business. They're recouping a significant chunk of their 2022 investment while freeing up wages and a squad spot. For Everton, it's a statement of intent - landing a proven Premier League goalscorer who bleeds royal blue.
📊 14 goals and 6 assists in 38 appearances - Richarlison's final season at Spurs across all competitions, including 9 Premier League goals in 27 starts.
Richarlison's Numbers and the Homecoming Narrative
What Spurs Are Losing, What Everton Are Getting
The 29-year-old has been fully fit since shaking off a minor calf strain sustained in preseason. He was an unused substitute in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Fulham on August 29 - a clear signal that his future lay elsewhere.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 27 starts | 9 | 4 |
| All Competitions | 38 | 14 | 6 |
Fan Base Already Planning 'Welcome Home' Display
Everton supporters haven't wasted a single second. Fan groups have organised a banner display reading "Welcome Home, Richie" for the potential home fixture against Brentford on September 12, contingent on the deal being officially confirmed.
And who can blame them? Richarlison scored 53 goals in 152 appearances during his first spell at Goodison, and his tearful, passionate celebrations become the stuff of club legend. This isn't just a signing - it's a reunion with a cult hero who never stopped calling Merseyside home.
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 38 | 14 |
| 2019-20 | 36 | 14 |
| 2020-21 | 37 | 13 |
| 2021-22 | 32 | 12 |
The Clock is Ticking
As of 09:00 BST this morning, neither club had made an official announcement. The expectation is that confirmation will land immediately after the medical is completed, with plenty of time to spare before the 11:00 PM deadline. Sky Sports and The Athletic have both confirmed the verbal agreement and medical schedule.
