Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi says it was not his decision to leave Richarlison out of the club’s Premier League squad.

While injured duo Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert were included in the 25-man list that Spurs submitted to the Premier League on Thursday, the Brazil forward was a notable omission after a turbulent week.

On Saturday, De Zerbi said the 29-year-old had asked to leave Tottenham and he was close to joining former club Everton before Tuesday’s transfer deadline but a deal fell through.

“It was not my decision. It is the normal decision,” said the Italian boss.

“I think Richarlison, he decided everything alone. He spoke with me at the beginning of the pre-season and told me his idea and desire was to leave.

“At the end we go to bring another striker [in] and like I said at the beginning of the pre-season, I want to keep the players, just the players that want to stay and be proud and with the right passion to stay here.

“Then for everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job. It is the responsibility of the club.

“I can’t say nothing because I didn’t decide anything. The message of Richarlison from the beginning of the season has been very clear. I accepted that and for me [there is] nothing [to say].”

Trabzonspor have been linked with a move for Richarlison with the transfer deadline for Turkish clubs set to close at 22:00 BST on Friday.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia can sign players until Sunday, but if the ex-Everton forward remains at Spurs, he will be ineligible to play in the Premier League.

Richarlison was Tottenham‘s top scorer in the league last season with 11 goals in 32 appearances and was a key figure during their struggle for top-flight survival, which was secured on the final day.

Richarlison, who joined Tottenham from Everton in the summer of 2022, had entered the final year of his contract with the north London club.

While he started the defeat by Brentford in their opening game of the season, he was not included in the squad for the 2-0 home loss to Newcastle, after which De Zerbi said: “Richarlison, I don’t know. He said too many times he wants to leave.”

And with Spurs strengthening their attack by bringing in Omar Marmoush from Manchester City and Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk on loan, and completing the acquisition of Brazil winger Savio from City, Richarlison has become surplus to requirements.

De Zerbi added: “If you don’t want to stay here, I don’t want to keep [talking] in the press conference.

“Go out – you have the freedom to go out. If you don’t want to stay, why [do] we have to keep you on the list? Why [do] you have to stay?

“I’m not Vinai [Venkatesham – Spurs CEO], I’m not the sporting director, I am the coach and I would like to work with the people hungry if they don’t play but happy to stay in this club.”