Why Richarlison faces awkward reunion with Tottenham defender Romero after transfer

Richarlison is set to join the north London club from Everton after a £50million deal was agreed.

While the arrival of such a prolific Premier League forward will delight most at Tottenham, centre-back Romero may have to put past feelings aside.

The Argentina international clashed with Richarlison in both Spurs fixtures against Everton last season after a comment made by the Brazilian in September 2021.

A World Cup qualifier between fierce rivals Brazil and Argentina was suspended after Romero and three of his teammates were accused of violating COVID-19 restrictions.

Brazil's national health surveillance agency ANVISA stormed the pitch alongside police and demanded immediate deportation for Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez, insisting they had not completed the necessary 14 days of self-isolation.

The match was duly cancelled after seven minutes and the Argentina squad flew home that night.

Following the chaotic events, Richarlison shared a post on Instagram which said: "Anvisa 1-0 Argentina."

This followed his involvement in a social media post earlier that summer which featured him mocking Argentina for their group-stage exit at the Tokyo Olympics.

In addition to this, Richarlison left Romero in a heap on the floor after a late challenge in the 0-0 draw between Everton and Tottenham in November 2021.

That match would see tension between the pair boil over and both players were booked for a heated face-to-face confrontation, which ended with Richarlison rolling around on the floor.

Romero, however, would have the last laugh during Tottenham's 5-0 victory over Everton in March 2022.

With Spurs already 2-0 up in the early stages of the match, Romero scythed down Richarlison with a reckless sliding tackle, so late the Argentine was lucky to escape with just a yellow card.

And Romero's Instagram post afterwards suggested it was a successful shot at revenge.

He shared a personalised image, not one tweeted out by the club, of Richarlison on the floor with the 5-0 score-line.

There is certainly no love lost between the two South Americans - and Richarlison's first job as a Spurs player will be to make amends with one of his great adversaries.