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MLS failed with summer interest in Tottenham star, €40 million price tag the deal-breaker

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 9:48 AM ET

MLS club Orlando City failed to sign Richarlison in the summer due to Tottenham Hotspur’s €40 million valuation

After an absolutely disastrous season last time around, new boss Thomas Frank has managed to steady the ship at Tottenham Hotspur. He has given the players confidence and lifted their spirits, whilst integrating the summer signings very well into the squad.

This has resulted in Spurs enjoying a bright start to the new season. Following the 2-1 win at Leeds United last weekend, the Lilywhites climbed up to third in the Premier League table. They are just two points behind league leaders Arsenal and look hungry to seal one of the top four spots in Thomas Frank’s first season in charge of the club.

One of the players who has enjoyed a revival in fortunes under the Dane is Richarlison. To say that Richarlison’s time at White Hart Lane so far has been a disaster would be an understatement. After how the last two seasons panned out, the Hotspur Way chiefs had transfer-listed the Brazilian in the summer.

Richarlison had a long list of suitors during the past summer transfer window, which included clubs from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. And now it has been revealed that the forward was also wanted by an MLS club.

Orlando City were interested in signing Richarlison

According to a report from ESPN Brazil, Orlando City were interested in signing Richarlison during the summer transfer window. However, a move failed to materialise over Tottenham’s potential €40 million valuation.

Orlando City viewed the Spurs forward as a potential face of the franchise ahead of the 2026 World Cup. They were eager to strengthen their attack with the Brazilian international, but Tottenham’s asking price ultimately put cold water on their efforts. Richarlison joining Orlando City would have smashed the MLS transfer record set by Son Heung-Min’s reported $26 million arrival to Los Angeles FC.

The aforementioned report adds Richarlison decided to stay in north London for at least one more season, especially to seal a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Richarlison is also wanted by a Brazilian club

It remains to be seen whether Orlando City would revive their interest in Richarlison next year, but there is already one club from Brazil vying for his signature. Flamengo are eyeing a move for the 28-year-old, who has a contract at Spurs until 2027. Preliminary talks have been held but there has been no progress beyond that. Tottenham would demand around £30 million to let the Brazilian leave.

Given both Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani are currently injured, Frank is unlikely to sanction Richarlison’s sale mid-season unless an adequate replacement is signed. From Richarlison’s perspective, he’d not want to leave Spurs in January ahead of the World Cup year. He has finally managed to get some continuity at the club and looks to be relishing his role under Frank.

Honestly, we’d have to wait until the end of the season to see what happens with the forward.

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

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