Andros Townsend responds to Tottenham’s transfer interest in Everton star Richarlison

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Andros Townsend has suggested a move to Tottenham would not be a “step up” for Everton striker Richarlison.

The 25-year-old is one of Spurs’ key targets this summer as Antonio Conte looks to bring another forward to a frontline already boasting Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevksi.

Only the Premier League’s top three scored more than Conte’s side last season and the idea of the club moving to bolster an area of strength will undoubtedly be exciting for supporters, with Conte seemingly cashing in on the assurances granted to him by Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici.

That kind of ambition represents something of a shift in the club’s transfer policy during a summer in which Spurs have already signed three players, two of whom can be considered major first-team upgrades.

Conte is keen to recruit a new forward before the July 9 trip to South Korea on a pre-season tour, although there is an understanding that doing so will be difficult, given the size of the potential deal.

Richarlison has previously hinted he is keen on playing at a higher level after a difficult season at Goodison Park, although former Spurs winger Townsend stressed the former Watford forward was already at one of England’s “biggest clubs”.

“I think you’re being slightly disrespectful by calling Spurs a step up!” he told talkSPORT.

“I think Everton is one of the biggest clubs in England, one of the most historic clubs, one of the biggest fanbases.

“He’s already a hero at Everton for what he’s done. He’s a fantastic player and towards the end of the season the goals he scored to keep us up…

“We speak about what Frank Lampard did for the team, why the fans did to lift us, but Richarlison came back from injury, scored goals and kept us up.

“So he’s already got hero status at the club… and that’s all you’re getting from me!”