Former Everton striker Richarlison is attracting interest ahead of the January transfer window, reports suggest.

The Brazil international left the Toffees in the summer of 2022 for Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £60 million. With 53 goals in 152 games, Richarlison was a beloved player at Goodison Park. He was crucial to Everton’s narrow escape from Premier League relegation in the 2021–2022 campaign.

But Richarlison has had difficulty since joining the Spurs. Only two goals in the league and five goals in 46 games across all competitions have he scored. The former Watford forward recently underwent surgery for an ongoing shoulder injury but found himself behind Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson in the pecking order before making that decision.

Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian team, reportedly wanted Richarlison during the summer transfer window, according to The Telegraph. Earlier this year, Fabinho, N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema were signed by a Saudi Pro League team. Tottenham had previously refused to let Richarlison go, but it is unclear if they will now back down given that Saudi clubs are “ready to test the water again.”

Will Everton be interested?

If Richarlison is indeed available to return, Evertonians will undoubtedly beg for his return. Yet the precarious financial situation has dictated the business the Toffees can conduct in recent windows – and is expected to do so again in January.

While the takeover process with prospective new owners 777 Partners is ongoing, Dyche has already admitted he doesn’t expect to be working with a significant budget when the transfer window reopens in around six weeks’ time.

The Everton manager had to tread carefully in the summer transfer window as Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi were sold and payment plans were worked out with Sporting CP and Udinese, respectively, for the acquisitions of Beto and Youssef Chermiti.

Reporters were recently informed by Dyche that, “Kev (the director of football) and I talk about things, but we are not talking about all the bigger picture stuff with the staff and recruitment department.” That’s to come over the next few months.

“We’ll see. Right now, the answer is yes—that is, if everything else stays the same. The financial situation will remain unchanged. It has been fairly evident, in my opinion, that there has not been a significant amount of financing involved. I think we have done well by making finance come into the club and then balancing it off with players coming in. We will have to wait and see, but it might be similar.”