€425m spent - Tottenham & Everton strike Ndiaye-Richarlison deal after Newcastle loss

Tottenham and Everton have struck an agreement for an elaborate swap deal that will likely see Iliman Ndiaye join Spurs, with Richarlison set to return to his former club after a four-year absence. In a surprise deal that emerged on Saturday evening, Spurs are set to finalise the signing of Ndiaye for €70.1 million, once the 26-year-old has agreed personal terms and passed a medical.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that striker Richarlison had been "trying to leave" following their 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle and it appears the Brazilian will get his wish. The 29-year-old, who was signed from the Toffees for €70m in 2022, is now going back in a €40.9m transfer. That essentially means Spurs will pay a net fee of approximately €30m to sign Ndiaye, whilst getting an unsettled Richarlison off their books.

Spurs record window continues

In terms of gross expenditure, the north London side continue to splash the cash. After signing Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Sávio and Jan Paul van Hecke, Ndiaye's potential arrival will take their spending to a massive €424.8m this summer - even exceeding Chelsea's exorbitant spree. That will undoubtedly heap the pressure on De Zerbi to bring in results after watching his side sink to the bottom of the Premier League after two games.

The Italian bizarrely claimed that "you cannot buy mentality in the transfer market" before rattling off the names of three players - Richarlison, Pape Matar Sarr and Kevin Danso - as ones who want to leave. But few would've expected back-to-back defeats against Brentford and Newcastle considering the improvements they have made to the squad.

Away to Nottingham Forest next, Spurs must ensure their new signings deliver - or the scrutiny on De Zerbi will inevitably increase.