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Fabrizio Romano shares inside story of MLS team’s push for Tottenham forward Richarlison

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Dec 26, 2025 11:18 AM ET

Tottenham forward Richarlison has been on the radar of MLS club Orlando City.

Richarlison has been Thomas Frank’s first-choice No.9 since the start of Tottenham Hotspur’s pre-season tour. Dominic Solanke’s persistent ankle-related problems and deadline day signing Randal Kolo Muani’s slow start to life in N17 have worked in favour of Richarlison.

The Brazilian began the 2025/26 campaign with a bang, scoring a brace on the opening day against Burnley. After adding two more goals in the first few matches, the 28-year-old then endured a barren run of ten consecutive games without a single goal contribution. This forced Thomas Frank to drop him from the first XI.

However, Richarlison appears to have rediscovered his scoring touch in recent weeks. With eight goals in all competitions, including a strike in the Lilywhites’ 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend, the centre-forward has been carrying his team’s goalscoring burden. From being close to leaving the club in the summer to now being the starting No.9, Richy has done extremely well to earn the gaffer’s trust.

Orlando City have shown an interest in signing Richarlison

Richarlison has become more important than ever for Spurs, especially in the absence of Solanke. Yet, that hasn’t stopped speculation surrounding his future at White Hart Lane.

Reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that MLS club Orlando City held a face-to-face meeting with Richarlison’s camp regarding their wish to sign him. However, he claimed that the 28-year-old is happy at Spurs for now and isn’t planning to leave. That hasn’t deterred Orlando City, though, as the MLS outfit will push to sign the South American star whenever he is ready to depart.

“A few months ago, what I can tell you is that a few officials from Orlando decided to travel to London and meet with Richarlison’s agents. There was a meeting in October to tell Richarlison that if you want to come to the MLS at some point, we are ready,” Fabrizio Romano said on Men in Blazers podcast.

Tottenham consider new contract for Richarlison

It is extremely surprising to imagine a Tottenham starting XI without Richarlison now, a player the club tried their best to move on in the summer. Those Spurs fans who wanted him gone will certainly be glad that the club did not sell him. The Brazilian attacker seems to be getting back to his best, and Frank certainly wouldn’t want to lose him midway through the campaign.

To fend off some suitors, as well as keep his value intact, Spurs are considering handing him a new contract amid plans to sign a new striker in the New Year. This demonstrates the hard work he has put in to improve his game, but most importantly fitness, which has let him down in the last couple of years at Tottenham.

Tottenham fans will hope Richy keeps himself fit and continues to fire goals throughout the season.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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