Ancelotti pushing to sign Tottenham star as Benzema replacement; Real Madrid learn cut-price valuation
Carlo Ancelotti is urging the Real Madrid hierarchy to sign Tottenham Hotspur flop Richarlison this summer, according to reports.
The Brazil international flourished under Ancelotti during their time together at Everton. However, he has failed to replicate that form with Spurs.
With Karim Benzema set to head to Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid will need to bring in attacking additions. So, a Los Blancos move for Richarlison could happen this summer.
Tottenham signed Richarlison for £60m last summer after he played a key role in keeping Everton in the Premier League.
However, despite his performances at Goodison Park, he has been in woeful form for Spurs. Overall, in 35 appearances across all competitions, he has scored just three goals.
Nevertheless, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Ancelotti is pushing hard to sign Richarlison this summer.
This is despite Madrid’s hierarchy preferring to wait to sign either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe in the summer of 2024.
“Ancelotti’s preferences in case Benzema leaves, well, I’m told they are Richarlison and Harry Kane. This is information, not my opinion, at least as far as Richarlison is concerned,” de Mon said.
“He averaged, I think 12-13 goals in the Premier League in the seasons he was at Everton.
“Not all of them were with Ancelotti on the bench logically and he is a player that he knows well, and I imagine he knows what he can give and therefore he feels comfortable.”
The journalist also claims that the fee required to sign Richarlison is another reason why Ancelotti may have his sights set on Richarlison to come in for Benzema.
“Another of the advantages that Ancelotti would see when it comes to being an option that the club could consider is that the price of Richarlison would be €40-45m, no more.
“This season he has been a regular substitute at Tottenham and is a player who would have a lower market value if he were to leave.
“We must remember that he was the starting striker for Brazil in the last World Cup but this season he has done has been very poor in terms of numbers.”
Indeed, while Harry Kane is also admired by Madrid, he would be a much more expensive signing than Richarlison.
Also, Manchester United are still thought to be leading the race for the England international. Therefore, it seems unlikely Kane will sign for Los Blancos this summer.
This leaves Richarlison as Ancelotti’s primary striker target. But, with Kane edging towards a departure, it remains to be seen whether Spurs would be willing to let two attackers leave in the same window.
Ultimately, this will be down to whoever is appointed as the new Tottenham manager – a decision that Daniel Levy is expected to make in the next few weeks.
