Spurs lead race to sign 'world-class' £50m Richarlison

It's been a real season of two halves for Tottenham Hotspur this year.

Ange Postecoglou watched his side go on a ten-game unbeaten run at the start of the Premier League campaign, then drop to fifth and lose the last four on the bounce.

Qualifying for the Champions League may be out of reach for the Australian side this season, but with a real chance of qualifying for the Europa League in their first campaign without Harry Kane in the side, it's hard to come down heavily on the Lilywhites at 23. /24.

However, if Daniel Levy and Co want to give Postecoglou the best chance to lift European silverware next year, they should consider signing the development of the inconsistent Richarlison this summer, and based on recent reports, that may happen.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to the latest report from Football Transfers, Tottenham have retained their interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney and, ahead of the summer window, are leading the race for his signature alongside West Ham United.

The report revealed that the two London clubs are determined to fight for the striker when the window opens, Manchester United withdrew from the battle following INEOS's concerns about the English player's character.

Although the Hammers represent a challenge to the Lilywhites, especially following reports that former Real Madrid and Spain manager Julen Lopetegui is set to take over, Levy and Co must trust their ability to offer the striker a very attractive package, especially. if they win to qualify for the Europa League.

The lack of competition is not the only good news, as the report also revealed that the Bees are ready to accept offers of around £50m for the striker who was valued at close to £100m last year. So, with a lack of quality options going forward, this feels like a deal Spurs can't afford to ignore.

How does Toney compare to Richarlison

Now, there is one big thing to consider when comparing the results of Richarlison and Toney, which is that the latter returned to football in the new year after an eight-month betting-related ban, so when we can compare. output for this season alone, would not be entirely accurate.

So, with that in mind, how did these two meet last year when they both had all the time to prove themselves?

Unfortunately the Lilywhites' Brazilian label didn't do that well. He scored just three goals and provided four assists in 35 games, averaging a goal involvement every five games, while the Bees ace scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 35 games, averaging a goal involvement every 1.3 games.

It is a huge victory for the 28-year-old “world class”, as described by manager Thomas Frank, that even if it includes the two draws this season, the Northampton-born star comes out ahead with a goal involvement every 1.6 games to the former Everton's 2.8.

Finally, while Richarlison has looked better this season and Toney has been rusty, their bodies of work in the last few days clearly show that the “unplayable” Englishman, as Alan Shearer described him, is a superior striker.

Therefore, if Spurs want to challenge for trophies next season, they should spend money and add a real number nine to Postecoglou's free-flowing attack.