Journalist Jacque Talbot has claimed Newcastle United were among the clubs who wanted to sign Richarlison over the summer.
Newcastle were likely expected to be one of the biggest spenders over the summer transfer window given the wealth of their new owners, however, when the window slammed shut, they had splashed out £122m – just the eighth-most in the league.
Clubs such as Nottingham Forest and West Ham ended up spending more than the Magpies, but they could have brought in a club-record signing before Alexander Isak had they managed to bring in Richarlison – something they were keen on doing, according to Talbot.
Speaking about Chelsea and Arsenal’s interest in signing Richarlison over the summer on his YouTube channel, Talbot mentioned the Magpies’ interest in the now-Tottenham Hotspur ace.
He said: “I think we knew that about Richarlison. I know Newcastle were keen, Arsenal [were keen] – I think a few clubs were interested.”
Who would you rather Newcastle have signed?
Isak!
Richarlison!
TIF Thoughts on interest in Richarlison…
Interestingly, Callum Wilson didn’t take too kindly to what Richarlison did against Nottingham Forest recently when he resorted to showboating with some keepy-uppies, as he described his actions as ‘disrespectful’ and said he would have volleyed a player if they did it to him.
Bringing in someone of Richarlison’s pedigree and experience in the Premier League would have been a major coup and also a signing of intent, however, given the fact he was seemingly keen on European football, it seems the Magpies were always up against it.
Missing out on Richarlison may well have been a blessing in disguise for Newcastle, as it’s unlikely PIF would have sanctioned a £60m signing of the Brazilian as well as justified bringing in Isak for a similar price while not getting any money into the club via sales.
So judging by how the two have started their careers at their respective new clubs, we believe Isak has certainly been the better player on paper, managing two goals in three Premier League starts, while Richarlison is still yet to get off the mark domestically for Spurs.