Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici has hailed the arrival of Brazilian forward Richarlison, and said that Spurs have closed the gap on the Premier League’s top teams.
Arriving for an initial fee of £50million earlier this summer, Richarlison could become the most expensive signing in Spurs’ history with an additional £10million in add-ons.
However, despite only starting one Premier League game so far this season for Antonio Conte’s team, Paratici is convinced that signing the Brazil international will prove to be good business for the club.
Speaking with Spurs club media, the former Juventus chief outlined his views on the move.
‘We are so convinced [it was right] to buy him so far, his kind of style of football is, I think, perfect for us. Not just technically speaking but [in terms of] character.’ Paratici said.
‘He’s a fighter, he has a big energy, he can play three positions in the forwards. He has great experience in the Premier League and national team for Brazil. I think it’s really technically speaking an easy choice [to sign him].’
Spurs enjoyed a busy transfer window, bringing in the likes of Ivan Perisic, Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma whilst managing to hang on to star men Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
All six new arrivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium arrived before the start of August, and Paratici explained that in getting the deals over the line with time to spare sent a message to rival clubs.
‘To do things early is just a question of having a vision.
‘The same vision as the club and coach, everyone together making the right decisions to straightaway find our targets.
‘Not just for Antonio for every coach it’s important to have this kind of solution. To get players early you can work, manage them, know them better.
‘It’s easy from a sporting, economic perspective and gives the right signal to fans, everyone, other clubs. We know what we have to do and we follow a line. That’s it.’
With the club preparing for their first Champions League campaign under Conte, Paratici claimed that since his arrival Spurs have reduced the gap between themselves, and the top teams in the Premier League:
‘One year ago I came here and if you remember my first words were we have to be better, build something important and arrive to be competitive.
‘I think we’re in a good place, the gap has reduced. We finished in the table 20 points less than Liverpool and Manchester City so it is not possible to reduce this kind of gap in a small time but we’re much better.’