Tottenham's top scorer admits his agent visited Paris offices multiple times while PSG desperately sought Mbappe succession plan
Richarlison held transfer talks with Paris Saint-Germain on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2022, with the French champions viewing him as their primary replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
The Brazilian striker, now Tottenham's leading scorer with 9 Premier League goals in their relegation battle, revealed his agent even travelled to PSG's Paris offices for negotiations that ultimately collapsed.
Richarlison's revelation exposes a pattern of dysfunction at PSG spanning several years. The 28-year-old told France Football that PSG approached him repeatedly whenever Mbappe threatened to leave.
I have had contact with PSG on several occasions. Every time Mbappe was about to leave, [the directors] approached me. Once, my agent even went to discuss things in the offices in Paris.
The timing is damning for PSG's recruitment strategy. Rather than building a squad to complement their star forward, they spent years courting potential replacements while Mbappe remained at the club.
PSG first approached Richarlison in August 2021 when he was starring for Everton. That summer marked the beginning of Mbappe's protracted exit saga, with Real Madrid making their first serious attempt to sign him.
The French champions continued pursuing Richarlison through 2022, even as Mbappe signed a new contract that May. This reactive approach meant PSG were constantly planning for life after their superstar rather than maximising his presence.
When Mbappe finally departed for Madrid in 2024, PSG had wasted three years chasing shadows instead of building sustainable success.
Richarlison's £60 million move to Tottenham in summer 2022 now looks like a sliding doors moment. While he became Spurs' record signing from Everton, PSG were still actively pursuing him as their Mbappe insurance policy.
The Brazilian admitted he desperately wanted the Paris move to happen.
I wanted to go there, we talked about it together with Neymar during the Selecao gatherings. It didn't work out, unfortunately, it's a shame.
Four years later, the contrast is stark. PSG remain Champions League regulars despite Mbappe's departure, while Richarlison finds himself fighting relegation with a Tottenham side in freefall.
His individual statistics tell the story:
Had PSG succeeded in signing him, Richarlison would likely be competing for Ligue 1 titles and Champions League glory rather than scrapping for Premier League survival.
Richarlison's obsession with playing alongside Neymar drove his desire to join PSG. The depth of his admiration became public when he unveiled a back tattoo featuring Neymar's face alongside Brazilian legends Pele and Ronaldo.
I love Neymar with all my heart. I got Neymar's face tattooed on my back.
The pair did eventually play together at the 2022 World Cup, where Richarlison scored five goals as Brazil reached the quarter-finals. But their club partnership never materialised.
Both Brazilians now face uncertain international futures. Neither featured in Brazil's March squad for World Cup qualifiers, with Richarlison's last cap coming in October after 54 appearances for his country.
Their potential reunion at the 2026 World Cup hangs in the balance. Richarlison needs to maintain his scoring form to earn a recall from Carlo Ancelotti, while Neymar battles to prove his fitness after injury problems.
It would have been incredible to play in Paris with him and the other Brazilians.
Instead, Richarlison watches from afar as PSG's Brazilian contingent of Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo and Gabriel Moscardo represent the connection he craved.
Richarlison's revelation raises questions about his Tottenham future. With Spurs battling relegation and the striker clearly harbouring regrets about the move that never was, a summer exit seems increasingly likely if they drop to the Championship.
PSG may yet return for the Brazilian, particularly if they fail to land other attacking targets. At 28, Richarlison remains in his prime years and his proven Premier League pedigree could appeal to Luis Enrique's rebuilding project.
For now, Richarlison must focus on keeping Tottenham in the Premier League. As their only consistent goal threat, Spurs' survival rests heavily on his shoulders for the remaining seven games.
SportSignals is an independent publication. Views expressed are our own.
Richarlison held multiple transfer talks with PSG between 2021 and 2022. His agent even travelled to PSG's Paris offices for negotiations during this period.
PSG approached Richarlison every time Mbappe threatened to leave the club. They viewed the Brazilian striker as their primary replacement option during Mbappe's protracted exit saga.
Tottenham signed Richarlison for £60 million from Everton in summer 2022. He became Spurs' record signing and is now their leading scorer with 9 Premier League goals.
Yes, Richarlison desperately wanted the PSG move to happen. He revealed he discussed the potential transfer with Neymar during Brazil national team gatherings.
Manchester Cityvs
Arsenal
1899 Hoffenheimvs
Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Münchenvs
VfB Stuttgart
Bristol Cityvs
Norwich
Chelseavs
Manchester United
The Rumour MillEintracht Frankfurt have set a €65 million asking price for Nathaniel Brown, matching Chelsea's record fee for Marc Cucurella. Real Madrid lead a five-club chase that includes Barcelona, Arsenal, PSG and Manchester City for the 22-year-old Germany international.
The Rumour MillManchester City's £27m investment in James Trafford has backfired spectacularly after Gianluigi Donnarumma's arrival left the England goalkeeper frozen out. Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle are now circling for a player who hasn't started a Premier League match since August despite earning his first England cap last month.
The Treatment RoomHugo Ekitike's Champions League opportunity turned to nightmare after just 34 minutes as the PSG striker was stretchered off against Liverpool. The injury deepens PSG's attacking crisis and potentially marks the end of Ekitike's troubled stint in Paris.