Richarlison, Everton 2021-22Getty

Richarlison in future admission after £85m Barcelona bid & links to PSG & Real Madrid

Everton forward Richarlison admits that his future could lie away from Goodison Park, with the Brazil international having previously been the subject of an £85 million ($116m) bid from Barcelona and interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

The 24-year-old was targeted by La Liga giants at Camp Nou back in January 2010, with his stock continuing to rise during a productive spell on Merseyside.

Real were said to have joined that hunt over the summer, with former Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti eager to be reunited with a familiar face after agreeing to take in a second spell as coach at Santiago Bernabeu.

Article continues below

What has been said?

Richarlison claims to be enjoying his time at Everton, but he is ruling nothing out on the transfer front and has told Ole: "I'm always very careful when I talk about it. 

"I have great affection for the people of Everton and for the club, who received me so well from the first day I arrived.

"I don't know what the future holds. If one day I have to go, it must be good for me, but also for the club.

"But if I stay, I will continue giving my life for this shirt and for the fans, who have always supported me and were with me at all times.

"I have enormous gratitude and feel at home when I am at Finch Farm training ground or Goodison Park stadium."

Why is Richarlison in demand?

The Samba star, who helped his country to gold medal glory at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, has been with Everton since making a big-money move from Watford in July 2018.

He has hit 43 goals through 123 appearances, becoming a key component for Everton under a number of different managers.

Further interest from afar is to be expected, but he is tied to a contract through to 2024 and will not come cheap for any of those plotting formal offers in upcoming windows.

The best in the world?

Richarlison Neymar Brazil El Salvador Friendly 11092018Pedro Martins/MoWa

While Richarlison remains a work in progress, he has offered his take on who he considers to be the best player on the planet.

He remains a big fan of fellow countryman Neymar, but insists he has never looked to place the PSG superstar above six-time Ballon d'Or winner and current club colleague Lionel Messi.

"Actually, I did not make that comparison: I just said that I think Neymar is the best player in the world at the moment," Richarlison added.

"Messi is an alien,one of the best players in history. I'm kidding, but I really don't agree with all these comparisons of who is or was the best. Each player goes through phases: sometimes everything goes well and other times, nothing good happens.

"I prefer to admire and learn from Neymar, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, from everyone. We are privileged to have three of the most fantastic players in the history of football still active and at the highest level. Why not enjoy instead of comparing them?"

Further reading

Advertisement