Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands is set to deal Manchester United a transfer blow, after the Dutchman confirmed that Richarlison is close to signing a new contract.
Richarlison moved to Goodison Park from Watford for a potential £50million in the summer of 2018, signing a five-year contract worth £90,000-per-week having been on a deal worth £32k-p/w at Vicarage Road.
The Brazilian proved himself to be a key aspect of Marco Silva’s squad during their maiden season on Merseyside, with Richarlison featuring in 38 fixtures across all competitions and recording 14 goals, two assists.
His haul of 13 Premier League strikes were enough for the 19-cap Brazil international to end the campaign as our joint-leading goalscorer with Gylfi Sigurdsson, and rank joint-tenth out of all players competing in the top-flight.
Richarlison has been unable to replicate his efforts in front of goal this term, as of yet with three goals in 13 league games, but Brands has stated that he is very much considered to be a key player for us and is close to putting pen to paper on an extension which will run until 2024.
“We have to look at the positives ahead,” he said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo. “And one of the positive thing this week is that we are now busy with the last details of extending a new contract with one of our key players, Richarlison, until 2024. So that is something positive for the long-term.”
Does Richarlison deserve a new contract?
Yes, absolutely
Only an extension
No, he hasn't done enough
Richarlison extending his contract at Goodison Park for a further year – likely on improved terms – will come as a blow to Manchester United, who were reportedly considering the 22-year-old as a forward option they could target in January.
The Red Devils are understood to be interested in signing RB Salzburg’s youth sensation Erling Braut Haaland, but the 19-year-old with 27 goals in 19 games this season across all competitions could cost as much as £85m.
Richarlison, therefore, was touted as a potential alternative, with club chiefs at Old Trafford discussing a January shortlist with head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Europa League side’s loss would be very much our gain, though, and better place us in keeping hold of Richarlison’s services for the long-haul.