Exclusive: Tottenham have now made ‘sensational’ striker their number one target to upgrade Richarlison

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Tottenham Hotspur have now identified their number one target for who they want to upgrade Richarlison with this summer.

One final game remains in Tottenham‘s season on Sunday when the Lilywhites travel to Sheffield United.

Europa League football can be clinched with just a point on Sunday or a Bournemouth result against Chelsea.

The summer is expected to see plenty of change at Hotspur Way with Ange Postecoglou already admitting a number of players will leave.

One of the main areas for improvement at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer is expected to be up top.

Richarlison is a player who Tottenham would be open to selling this summer if the right offer is to land amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

The Spurs News have now sat down with HITC Football‘s Graeme Bailey who has provided an exclusive insight on Tottenham’s striker search.

• READ MORE: Tottenham now have six-man striker shortlist lined up to upgrade Richarlison this summer

Tottenham identify 26-goal striker as Richarlison upgrade

The sale of Harry Kane last summer was always going to be a huge blow for Postecoglou’s plans in his first season.

However, the frequent injuries to Richarlison has meant a large portion of the responsibility in front of goal has been put on the shoulders of Heung-min Son.

A number of Premier League clubs find themselves looking for a reliable goalscorer this summer with plenty of options expected to be available.

One player who has now come to the fore in north London is the Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez.

The Mexican striker has enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Eredivisie this season having netted 26 goals in total – 23 coming in the league.

With Tottenham looking to bring in a new number nine this summer, Bailey has now provided an insight on the club’s main target.

“It does look like Gimenez is the one up front,” Bailey said.

“They do want Timo Werner, but they want him on an extended loan. So they’re assessing that. With Gimenez, he could come if they move Richarlison on.

“If they don’t get rid of Richarlison, would they still bring in Gimenez? I think they might. I think there is a belief there that Richarlison moves on.”

Would Santiago Gimenez be an upgrade on Richarlison?

The 23-year-old striker has received a lot of praise for the performances he has displayed at Feyenoord.

“Santiago Gimenez looks sensational by the way, he looks so good. He looks amazing to me,” Bailey said earlier in the season on the Talking Transfers podcast.

Here is a comparison to Gimenez and Richarlison’s 2023/24 seasons.

Statistics via FBRef.

The stats may well weigh in Gimenez’s favour, however, there may well be some caution over judging the player on the back of his displays in the Dutch top flight.

Regardless, his ability to go through the season without any major injury issues will be something that certainly gives him the advantage over the Brazilian.