Barcelona surprised everyone in the January transfer market when reports emerged that they had made a bid of £85m (Daily Star) for Everton star Richarlison. The Toffees rejected the move, and that showed how highly the Merseyside club rates their Brazilian attacker.
Ancelotti rules summer move for Richarlison
Now, Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out even a summer move for Richarlison if Barcelona tried to return for him. He emphasised that the versatile forward is instrumental to Everton’s future.
The Italian manager said, ”I don’t think it will be difficult to resist (a summer bid from Barca) because it is enough to say no, there is no possibility because Richarlison is an important part of the future of Everton. This is the base from which the club has to build the future, and Richarlison is part of it, like the other young players we have – Pickford, Holgate, Kean, Keane, Calvert-Lewin. We have a lot of young players.”
Barcelona are going through an injury crisis in attack as Luis Suarez, and Ousmane Dembele are currently sidelined. Many expected the Blaugrana to go after a striker last month, but a move didn’t transpire. Richarlison would have been a decent addition, but his price tag raised a few eyebrows. The fact that Everton still rejected it also turned a few heads.
Why can Richarlison be a good pick?
Nevertheless, we still feel that Richarlison would have been a decent pick, given his versatility to play in various roles in the attack. The Brazilian is still just 22, and he has four years left on his contract. So Barcelona probably knew that it would take a great offer to get him midway through the season.
Ancelotti might have ruled a move out for now, but things could change in the summer. Everton haven’t progressed much in the last few years, and Richarlison might start pushing for a move away in the summer with a club like Barcelona interested. Hence, we feel that the Spanish giants will have a chance to lure him in the summer.
Richarlison showcases decent pace and strength, and he can play on the flanks or as a striker. He can make runs in the channels and can carry the ball well. The Brazilian has formed a good partnership with Dominic Calvert-Lewin since Ancelotti took over. The forward also shows great determination and doggedness when he is on the pitch, and that is something Barcelona can do with in their squad.
The club needs to keep an eye on a long term replacement for Suarez. Richarlison hasn’t been a prolific scorer, but he has decent finishing skills. Quique Setien should consider him in the summer even with Everton rejecting their approach for now.
