Spurs take major protective step after Richarlison's second transfer collapse

Spurs have taken a key step to ensure they are protected legally amid Richarlison's messy situation at the club.

The Brazilian began the season leading the line for Spurs in the first game of the season, where Roberto De Zerbi's men were beaten 3-0 by Brentford.

But with an influx of new attacking additions, Richarlison was omitted from the club's Premier League squad after demanding to leave Tottenham Hotspur.

It then emerged that Richarlison's lawyers were looking to take legal action in a bid to force termination of his contract, which runs until June 2027 with the option to extend.

It was widely reported that his representatives were exploring whether they could involve FIFA, in an effort to force an imminent departure given his situation.

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With no future at the club, the expectation is that he will not be involved in the first-team in any capacity, and would therefore spend time with the Under-21's.

However, on Friday, Bruno Andrade reported for ESPN Brazil that Richarlison returned to first-team training and will not be with the reserves.

The journalist noted that the move from Spurs is a careful one, that helps them in regards to Richarlison's camp talking to the club about potentially ripping up his contract, as their willingness to have him in the first-team strengthens their legal stance.

Richarlison's issues statement as £20 million transfer away from Spurs collapses

With most transfer windows in Europe closing, Richarlison looked set to join Mo Salah at Trabzonspor, but a deal did not materialise.

The next development was a mooted move back to his native Brazil with Vasco de Gama. The Times reported that Spurs accepted a £20 million offer from Vasco ahead of the Brazilian transfer deadline at 4am.

But Richarlison could not agree personal terms and that transfer also collapsed. Reports in Brazil stated that Vasco were looking for a contract arrangement which would include a long-term deal, but be paid in instalments.

However, it's understood that Richarlison only wanted a short stint back in Brazil with his boyhood club, potentially for three or months before heading back to Europe or the Middle East.

That deal is therefore dead in the water and the only real option for Richarlison to move now is Qatar, where the window is still open.

He issued a statement on the matter, taking to Instagram to say: "We were very close to me signing with Vasco. My team, the team of my whole family.

"It was a close call. I had made it very clear to Pedrinho and Felipe from the beginning of the conversation that I wanted to play for Vasco until December. When other clubs and other offers came up, I made it clear that they were my priority.

"This time, it was a close call. Unfortunately, Tottenham reached the loan limit, so it didn't work out either. But that's it. I wanted to thank you, the Vasco fans, who sent many kind messages."

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According to Global Sports Advocates, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) uses Swiss labor law principles when deciding whether 'just cause' applies to a contract termination.

For Richarlison, 'absence of player registration' is the most relevant element following his exclusion.