Richarlison, Kevin Danso, and Pape Matar Sarr have formally requested transfers from Tottenham Hotspur amid a difficult start to the 2026-27 Premier League season [1, 2, 3]. None of the trio featured in Spurs’ 2-0 home loss to Newcastle on August 29, a match that highlighted the club’s ongoing challenges in finding form and scoring goals [1, 3].
Richarlison was Tottenham's top scorer last season with 11 goals and played a key role in helping the team avoid relegation [1]. He has been replaced in the starting line-up by Omar Marmoush, who joined Spurs on loan from Manchester City [1, 2].
Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham’s manager, confirmed the players’ desire to depart but emphasized that any exits must come with financial compensation. "Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave. Danso came to me two days ago and he said he wants to leave and Pape Sarr the same," De Zerbi said. "If they want to leave, they have to bring the economic solution to the club, and they can go" [1]. He reiterated, "I love Danso and Richarlison, they are great guys but if they want to leave they have to bring the economic solution to the club and they can go and we find other players" [2].
Tottenham have spent heavily this summer, investing between £300 million and £380 million in new players as part of a rebuilding effort [1, 3]. Key signings include midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, and defenders Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke. Tonali, who cost an initial £92.5 million, is seen as a crucial signing but has yet to find full form [2].
Danso’s first-team opportunities have diminished with the arrival of new defenders. Spurs recently rejected a loan offer from Sunderland for Danso [1]. Meanwhile, Sarr’s playing chances have been limited following the signings of Fernandes and Tonali. Pape Sarr is recovering from a minor hamstring injury and is almost ready to train again [1, 3]. Juventus is reportedly considering a move for him [3].
The team has lost its first two Premier League games without scoring a goal, including defeats to Brentford and Newcastle [1, 3]. De Zerbi stressed the importance of mentality and cohesion. "There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is," he said. "We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection between the players" [3]. He added: "It's the biggest problem, it's the biggest challenge and the biggest target is to find the right mentality. You can't find the right mentality in the transfer market. Football is a magical thing... I want to achieve this target as soon as possible" [2].
Newcastle’s new signing Nico González, brought in partly to replace Tonali, made a strong debut in the latest fixture against Spurs [2].
Tottenham will look to regroup ahead of their next Premier League game, aiming to improve results and team chemistry after a tough start to the season.
