“Everton want..“: David Ornstein delivers huge transfer update, Lampard will be fuming - opinion

Everton could be facing the prospect of life without Richarlison next term, following a worrying update from journalist David Ornstein.

Writing on Twitter, the respected insider revealed that the Brazilian gem is the subject of interest from fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, with sources close to the Merseyside outfit believing that a deal could well happen.

Amid speculation over the 25-year-old’s future at Goodison Park, Ornstein has revealed that north London could well be his next destination: “Tottenham interested in signing Richarlison. No bid yet – will only do it at right price + have other options. Everton want more than reported €60m but need for funds likely to reduce fee + some close to #EFC think #THFC move will happen.”

In his attached piece for The Athletic, the transfer guru added that the Toffees may be inclined to sell due to a need to raise funds, although Spurs are yet to make a concrete offer for his services.

After having clinched top-flight survival by the skin of their teeth in the penultimate game of last term, Frank Lampard and co would have been hoping to put that gruelling campaign behind them and kick on in the 2022/23 season, although this latest news will no doubt throw a spanner in the works.

While perhaps not unexpected – with the former Watford man having long been linked with a departure – that will do little to soften the blow, with the club having been so reliant on the £45m-rated gem in recent years.

The 2021/22 campaign saw the 36-cap international help to steer Lampard’s men away from danger with ten goals and five assists in 30 league games, having largely shouldered the goalscoring burden alone following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s dismal, injury-hit season.

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