Despite unveiling an ambitious “career project” to sign him in summer 2026, Orlando City SC have been rebuffed in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison. Yesterday, Bruno Andrade of ESPN Brasil revealed that City wanted to sign the Brazilian to a long-term deal, making him a central figure in our pre-2026 FIFA World Cup plans. Today, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano corroborated the story, confirming that “Ricardo Moreira spoke to Richarlison’s camp” in London to outline the project. However, talks stalled, with the forward still considered “a key player for Spurs”.
Some claim that Orlando tried to sign Richarlison this past summer, but the biggest obstacle is Tottenham’s asking price – reportedly around €40 million ($46.4 million). This was a figure that Orlando City SC were simply unwilling to consider. Richarlison (28) holds a contract with Spurs until December 2027 and has played in England since 2017. This season, the Brazilian international has contributed three goals and one assist in seven Premier League appearances for Thomas Frank’s side.
Orlando City oferece ‘projeto de carreira’ a Richarlison, mas negociação não avança; veja bastidores https://t.co/VmfUGiYMox #FutebolNaESPN #PremierLeagueNaESPN
— SportsCenter Brasil (@SportsCenterBR) October 7, 2025
🚨🇺🇸 Orlando City board presented their project to Richarlison for summer 2026 with mission to London to meet with his agents.
MLS side led by director Ricardo Moreira spoke to Richarlison’s camp, as per ESPN — but he’s a key player for Spurs now.
🎥 https://t.co/0yNDx70VmD pic.twitter.com/qLrGnNx8kZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 8, 2025
Richarlison, you say?
No doubt a top-quality player on his day, Richarlison’s day hasn’t come often enough in recent years. And that has largely frustrated Spurs fans since a prolific spell at Everton between 2018 and 2022. Ultimately, he has never really cemented a regular starting spot under Antonio Conte, Ange Postecoglou or Thomas Frank. Still, he has shown promise this season, scoring three goals in Spurs’ first five Premier League games.
Overall, Richarlison has made 250 Premier League appearances, featuring for Watford (38), Everton (135), and now Tottenham (77). He has scored a total of 67 goals – five for Watford, 43 for Everton, and 19 for Spurs. On the international stage, he has earned 52 senior caps with Brazil, netting 20 goals while representing the Seleção at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa Américas (2019, 2021), and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Following the high-profile acquisitions of Kaká in 2014 and Nani in 2019, Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira have generally steered away from signing established global superstars. Instead, they’ve focused on younger, hungry and undiscovered talent like Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić, which makes this Richarlison pursuit particularly intriguing.
While recent talks didn’t progress, you wonder whether Orlando City SC might revisit Richarlison next summer after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when he will have only a year left on his Spurs contract.
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