Tottenham Hotspur have completed the fifth signing of the summer transfer window, with Brazilian defender Emerson Royal arriving from Barcelona.
As confirmed by the club’s official website, Tottenham Hotspur have secured the signing of Emerson Royal from La Liga heavyweights Barcelona, on a five-year contract.
Emerson was signed by Barcelona in a co-ownership arrangement with Real Betis in January 2019 from Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro. The right-back spent the last couple of seasons with La Real, before the Catalans purchased him outright earlier this summer.
Having arrived at Camp Nou, Emerson was not preferred by manager Ronald Koeman in the first couple of matches of the 2021/22 season. And while he did start in the latest game this past weekend, the Brazilian was replaced by Sergino Dest in the second half.
Talks of a move to Tottenham started to pick up steam towards the end of the last week, with reports claiming that the Lilywhites had opened talks with Barcelona in order to sign the Brazilian. Now, the club have been able to close the deal, making Emerson their fifth signing of the summer transfer window.
Please welcome London’s newest Royal, @Emerson_Royal22! ? pic.twitter.com/M9uwTrCV2B
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 31, 2021
A statement issued by the club read, “We are delighted to announce the signing of Emerson Royal from Barcelona, subject to international clearance and a work permit. The right-back has signed a contract with us until 2026 and will wear the number 12 shirt.”
Barcelona, too, confirmed the deal on their official website, while also shedding some light on the finances of the agreement. The Catalans have revealed that Tottenham will be paying them a transfer fee of €25 million for the signing of the Brazilian international, who was part of the Selecao squad for the 2021 Copa America.
Emerson becomes Tottenham Hotspur’s fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Pierluigi Gollini, Bryan Gil, Cristian Romero and Pape Matar Sarr, who has returned to FC Metz on a season-long loan deal. It has been quite a successful transfer window for the Lilywhites, with the club having managed to keep hold of Harry Kane while making some impressive signings.
The right-back slot had been a problem for the north Londoners, with Serge Aurier flattering to deceive and Matt Doherty also struggling to impress as well. Furthermore, with the latter being linked with an exit, a new player was needed in the position. With Emerson, Tottenham have signed a player who showed a lot of promise in La Liga with Real Betis and has age on his side.
