Marcel Brands admits he tried to sign Tottenham Hotspur and Premier League forward Richarlison during his first spell as a director at Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven, speaking to NOS.
Of course, it wouldn’t be too long before Brands and Richarlison joined forces at last.
The Brazil international was one of the Dutchman’s first signings after being appointed as Everton’s director of football in 2018, The Toffees spending an initial £40 million to bring in a player Brands’ PSV side missed out on just 10 months previously.
“He has heigh, speed, he is agile, can handle all positions in the attack and is technically good. He can head (the ball) exceptionally well, has enormous jumping power and excellent timing in the air,” Brands says of Richarlison.
“We were seriously interested at PSV. I even went to South America to watch (Richarlison), but we couldn’t pay the transfer fee. If it had been a few million less, we could have participated (in the battle).”
Marcel Brands wanted Tottenham star Richarlison at PSV Eindhoven
Watford would eventually win a hard-fought race for Richarlison’s sought-after signature in the summer of 2017; an £11.5 million investment in the then-20-year-old Fluminense prospect earning The Hornets a tidy profit after just one excellent season at Vicarage Road.
Now at Tottenham, Richarlison has come a long way since those early days in yellow and black. The second-most expensive signing in Spurs’ history is now central (quite literally, given his number nine role under Tite) to Brazil’s hopes of securing a record sixth World Cup crown in Qatar.
“Richarlison! Brazil were very impressive in the second half against Serbia. And our boy Richy with the goal of tournament so far,” Spurs team-mate Matt Doherty told Tottenham’s official website.
“His record with Brazil is phenomenal and he could bring them the World Cup. He works his socks off and what a nice guy. He deserves everything positive that comes his way.”
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