Everton could delight the Goodison Park faithful by bringing Richarlison back on loan from Tottenham Hotspur this deadline day, so what would David Moyes’ best XI be?
It has been two-and-a-half-years since the Brazil striker left Merseyside for north London in an initial £50m, rising up to £60m, transfer. Tottenham bet big to get Richarlison after a four-year run for Everton saw the 27-year-old score 53 and assist 13 goals over his 152 matches.
Everton knew Richarlison was worth more at the time of his transfer to Tottenham. But their frantic need to raise funds meant the Goodison Park club had to accept a reduced fee so the striker’s sale would be included in their accounts for the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.
Everton could re-sign Richarlison on loan from Tottenham on deadline day
Moving to the capital has not proven to be great for Richarlison, though, with a frequent raft of injury problems and inconsistent form causing him to struggle to secure a consistent role. To date, Richarlison has only played 79 games at Tottenham and started 43 of a possible 83.
The Nova Venecia native further has just 18 goals and nine assists over his 3,704 minutes on a pitch for Spurs. So, with Ange Postecoglou pushing to add to their attack, Tottenham could let Richarlison re-join Everton on loan on deadline day for the winter 2025 transfer window.
Everton would need Tottenham to finalise their loan transfer for Bayern Munich gem Mathys Tel first and also see Armando Broja or Jack Harrison return to Chelsea or Leeds United to then loan Richarlison. The Blues do not currently have a spot in their squad for Richarlison.
Discussions are still ongoing at Goodison Park to decide if Everton should send Broja back to Chelsea after sustaining an ankle ligament injury. The blow of the Albanian’s absence would be eased if Moyes met the pleas of the many Everton fans begging to see Richarlison return.
But, should the Toffees do what they need to re-sign Richarlison on loan from Tottenham on deadline day, what would Everton manager Moyes’ best XI then look like? With that in mind, Everton News looks into what the strongest potential Everton XI with Richarlison would be…
Everton strike £20m transfer for Stade Rennais left-back Adrien Truffert
Attack is not the only priority at Goodison Park in the final hours of the winter 2025 transfer window as Everton are interested in signing Adrien Truffert from Stade Rennais, as well. The Blues have even landed a big boost in their pursuit, despite Rennes demanding £20m to sell.
As well as the Toffees chasing the 23-year-old, Truffert would be keen to agree to a transfer to the Premier League if one were to materialise before the sales close. He is a vital player at Rennes, with Truffert captaining the club’s last four Ligue 1 games, but he is open to leaving.
Truffert could add a creative presence to Everton manager Moyes’ potential best XI from the left channel to feed Richarlison in royal blue once more. He is also capable of featuring in an advanced role from the left, and not just at left-back, along with slotting in as a centre-back.
Everton set to finalise Carlos Alcaraz’s loan transfer from Flamengo
Richarlison could even see an international rival line up behind the Brazilian if Everton agree to re-sign the forward on loan from Tottenham with the Blues expected to sign an Argentine midfielder. Moyes is just waiting after Carlos Alcaraz told Flamengo he wants to join Everton.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Carlos Alcaraz from salary to injury record
Terms are in place for the former Southampton player to depart the Brazilian Serie A for the Premier League on loan for the rest of the season. The terms of the deal also gift Everton an obligation to buy Alcaraz from Flamengo for £16.5m if he meets performance-based criteria.
Everton agree £10m transfer fee with West Brom to sign Tom Fellows
Further creative reinforcements could surround Richarlison if the Blues re-sign the Brazilian, as well, after Everton have agreed to pay West Brom £10m to sign Tom Fellows in a deadline day transfer. The Baggies have even given the right-winger permission to undergo a medical.
Talks between Everton and Fellows’ camp are still ongoing with the Blues needing to find an agreement regarding personal terms for the 21-year-old in the late hours of the market. But Moyes may boast a new weapon with Fellows boasting two goals and 10 assists this season.
Fellows has offered all 12 of his goal involvements through 30 Championship appearances in 2024/25 of which the Solihull native has also started 26. His haul has helped The Hawthorns club to sit in the play-off positions after 30 matches, as well, with West Brom currently sixth.
Strongest Everton XI if Richarlison signs on loan from Tottenham
So, if Everton were to agree to sign Richarlison on loan from Tottenham before deadline day for the winter 2025 transfer window slams shut, Moyes could oversee a best XI looking like…
Everton’s best XI: Pickford (GK) – Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Truffert – Gueye, Alcaraz – Fellows, Richarlison, Ndiaye – Beto
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