Richarlison reveals Paris Saint-Germain made repeated attempts to sign him
Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has disclosed that Paris Saint-Germain made multiple attempts to sign him as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappé. In an interview with France Football, the Brazilian international confirmed he had several contacts with the French champions, specifically during periods when Mbappé's future was in doubt. Richarlison stated he was keen on the move, which would have reunited him with his compatriot and close friend Neymar.
Richarlison, who joined Tottenham from Everton in a deal worth an initial £50 million in the summer of 2022, explained the discussions were recurrent. "I had contacts with PSG on several occasions," he said. "Every time Mbappé was about to leave, they approached me." At the time of these overtures, the striker was still playing for Everton before his move to North London. He expressed regret that a transfer never materialized, noting it would have been "incredible" to play in Paris alongside Neymar and other Brazilian players at the club.
The 26-year-old's admiration for Neymar is profound, famously illustrated by a tattoo of the Al Hilal star's face on his back. "I also have Ronaldo and Pelé's signature. Neymar, I love him from the bottom of my heart," Richarlison said. He revealed the two discussed a potential partnership while on international duty with Brazil, envisioning a formidable all-Brazilian attacking line at the Parc des Princes.
In the same wide-ranging interview, Richarlison opened up about struggling with his mental health following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored a memorable bicycle kick goal against Serbia. He confessed to entering a period of depression that lasted around a year and a half. "I was getting slapped every day," he described. The player credited his wife with helping him through that difficult time, stating she "saved his life" and helped him move past dark thoughts.
The revelation offers a notable glimpse into PSG's long-term planning during the prolonged saga surrounding Mbappé's future, highlighting the club's identified contingency plans. For Richarlison, the interest from a club of PSG's stature underscores his standing in the game prior to his move to Tottenham, where he has since become a key figure under manager Ange Postecoglou. His disclosure also adds context to the intense speculation that has surrounded Mbappé's contract situation in recent years, with top European clubs regularly linked to the French superstar.
Richarlison has scored 11 Premier League goals for Tottenham this season, finding consistent form after an injury-disrupted first year at the club. His comments confirm PSG's strategy of seeking a proven, high-profile attacker to fill a potential void, with a clear preference for a player already integrated into the Brazilian national setup that has long been influential in Paris.
