Richarlison, Danso and Pape Matar Sarr ask to leave Tottenham, De Zerbi says
Richarlison, Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr have asked to leave Tottenham Hotspur, head coach Roberto de Zerbi said after Spurs’ 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle on Saturday. None of the three were included in De Zerbi’s matchday squad for that game.
Tottenham have signed eight first-team players this summer and spent more than £300m as they sought to rebuild following back-to-back 17th-place Premier League finishes. Spurs sit bottom of the table after losing their first two games to Brentford and Newcastle and failing to score a goal. With 11 goals, Richarlison was Tottenham's top scorer last season and a key leader during their struggle for Premier League survival, which was secured on the final day. In early August De Zerbi said the Brazilian was uncertain about his future, noting: "it's not easy to find another striker like Richarlison".
De Zerbi confirmed the three players have asked to leave and spoke about each by name, saying: "Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave." He added: "Danso came to me two days ago and he said wants to leave and Pape Sarr the same, but he suffered a small injury, but he is almost ready to train." De Zerbi also warned that departures would require a financial solution, saying: "I have very good relationships but if they want to leave, they have to bring the solution, the economic solution, to the club, and they can go."
Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush joined Spurs on loan last week and replaced Richarlison in De Zerbi's starting XI against Newcastle. Richarlison’s omission from the squad against Newcastle followed earlier uncertainty over his future and the club’s heavy summer recruitment drive.
Danso faces increased competition in central defence after the arrivals of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, while Micky van de Ven's place was reinforced by a new contract and the captaincy. Sunderland made an offer to take Danso, who has 36 Austria caps, on a season-long loan, but Spurs rejected that bid.
Sarr’s opportunities have been affected by the signings of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali early in the window, with Tottenham breaking their club record fee twice in one week during the transfer activity. Sources in Italy say Juventus are confident of completing a loan move for Pape Matar Sarr that includes a conditional obligation to buy; the Senegal international, 23, has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including several in the Premier League and Turkish side Besiktas.
Sources told BBC Sport that Juventus would be prepared to sign the midfielder permanently if he makes a certain number of appearances and helps the club qualify for either the Champions League or Europa League, while English clubs interested are offering only loan deals and Besiktas are prepared to make a permanent move that includes a substantial pay rise for Sarr. The exact nature of any obligation to buy at the end of the season-long loan remains under discussion.
