‘I am the villain’ – Richarlison shares cryptic message on Instagram as Tottenham star edges towards Everton return

RICHARLISON has shared a cryptic message on Instagram as he edges towards an Everton return. The 29-year-old Tottenham Hotspur star has seemingly addressed his rumoured £35million transfer with a two-slide social media post. Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison reacts against Liverpool Credit: The Times Richarlison celebrates scoring Spurs’ first goal against Liverpool Credit: Alamy He has shared a photo of himself in action for Spurs, looking into the crowd with his hand holding his chin. A second snap then shows a mural written on a wall in Portuguese. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The mural translates in English to: “I am the villain of many poorly told stories.” Richarlison added a thinking emoji in the Instagram post’s caption. Comments have been turned off on Richarlison’s post, with the star also sharing the mural to his Instagram Story. It came just hours after it emerged that a deal has been agreed in principle for the striker to return to Everton. Spurs are also understood to be looking to sign Toffees forward Iliman Ndiaye, 26, for £60million in a separate transfer. Everton are also thought to be in the market for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, 30, after a positive loan spell last season. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Richarlison arrived in North London for £60million in 2022 after a four-year spell with Everton. He scored 43 goals in 135 appearances for the Merseyside club as he helped to save the side from relegation in his final season. This goal-scoring form has continued at Spurs as Richarlison scored 11 goals in another relegation battle. Richarlison also played a key role as the side ended their title drought to win the 2024-25 Europa League. But Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi, 47, has explained that Richarlison has demanded to leave the club as the Toffees have expressed a strong interest. The striker started in Spurs’ 3-0 opening day defeat against Brentford, before missing their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday. Meanwhile, Everton are flying high as they sit sixth in the Premier League with a win and a draw against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, respectively. Tottenham will travel to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Everton taking on Manchester United one day later. Comment now