Roberto De Zerbi has claimed that Richarlison rejected a return to Everton.
Richarlison’s Tottenham exit could be sealed on Friday with Trabzonspor working on a deal for the forward before the Turkish transfer deadline.
But the Brazil international was on the verge of a move back to Merseyside, where he spent four years before moving across the Premier League in 2022.
Spurs’ interest in signing Iliman Ndiaye raised the possibility of Richarlison rejoining the Blues which he confirmed in a fiery social media statement.
“If they reach an agreement between Spurs and Everton, I will return to my beloved club,” he wrote on Instagram.
“My intention was to go back to the place where I was very happy, yes, but the negotiations happened only in the way certain people wanted, and it will no longer be like that.
“Despite all this turmoil, I am under contract at Spurs and will remain at the club’s disposal.”
Ndiaye’s subsequent move to Manchester City, for a £60 million upfront fee, appeared to put paid to the 29-year-old’s hopes of an Everton homecoming.
However De Zerbi has now revealed that Richarlison turned down a potential switch to Hill Dickinson Stadium despite his earlier claims.
He said: “I think Richarlison, he decided everything.
“He spoke with me at the start of pre-season and his idea was to leave.
“In the end, we went to bring another striker and at the beginning of pre-season. I only want the players that want to stay here with pride, passion to stay.
“Then every other problem is not my business, it’s the responsibility of the club. I can’t say anything because I didn’t decide anything.
“The message from Richarlison from the beginning of the season was clear and I accepted that.
“I don’t know if there is an offer from Turkey. I don’t know if the club has accepted the offer.
“I know there was an offer before the end of the [English] transfer market, but he didn’t accept.
“For me, nothing has changed.”