Everton manager Marco Silva has rubbished reports linking forward Richarlison with a move to city rivals Liverpool.
Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte, as cited by Sky Sports, had reported earlier this week that Jurgen Klopp had recently met with Richarlison’s agent Renato Velasco, speculating that the Reds could be interested in signing the Brazil international.
However, Everton boss Silva has shot down those reports, claiming that the 22-year old is strictly not for sale. Asked about the speculation during his pre-Arsenal press conference, Silva said:
I have to smile, there is nothing more I can do. For us this speculation is not important to talk about.
It is not important to talk about this situation, only smile.
Richarlison is our player, all of us are happy with him and he is really happy here and he has many things to keep proving at our club.
I am 100 per cent sure he will do that in the next few seasons. He’s a really important player for us.
I was 100 per cent he could help us and fit well in our club, and because of that I asked our club to do everything we could to sign him.
Of course I’m happy, he is happy. My job is to keep working with him to keep developing him. I don’t have doubts he can keep improving his performance.
Silva signed Richarlison from Watford for an initial fee of £35million last summer, with the versatile forward having scored 13 Premier League goals for the Toffees this season.
Reports had linked Liverpool with a move after reports that Liverpool are keen to strengthen their forward options next season.
With Daniel Sturridge set to leave Anfield in the summer, and with Divock Origi’s future unclear, Liverpool are left with just Roberto Firmino to lead the forward line for the club.
While Richarlison wouldn’t be the first Everton player to move across Stanley Park, he would be just the fourth player to do so, with the last player being Abel Xavier in 2002.
