Emerson Royal is reportedly set to join Tottenham in a €30 million deal, with the Barcelona defender also penning a five-year contract with Spurs.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Emerson Royal is closing in on joining Tottenham Hotspur before the summer transfer window slams shut. Barcelona appear to have reached an agreement with Spurs over a €30 million deal, with the Brazilian defender set to sign a five-year contract with the Premier League heavyweights.
Emerson Royal has only arrived at Barcelona on a permanent deal this summer, following the end of a convoluted deal between them and Real Betis involving the 22-year-old. However, with Sergino Dest the first-choice right-back for the Blaugrana, it has been speculated for some time that Emerson could be cashed in on amid financial woes at Camp Nou.
So, after making just three appearances for Barcelona, the Brazilian defender is now set to depart Camp Nou, with the Catalan giants set to make a healthy profit on him. As per Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sign Emerson, in what will be a €30 million deal inclusive of add-ons.
The interest from Tottenham makes a lot of sense, considering Nuno Espirito Santo has preferred using Japhet Tanganga as a right-back ahead of more natural options in Matt Doherty and Serge Aurier. In fact, Aurier has been deemed to be surplus to requirements, with Spurs desperate to cash in on the Ivorian before the summer transfer window slams shut.
As for Emerson, he is the kind of full-back who revels as a traditional right-back as well as a wing-back, unlike someone like Doherty, thereby making him a viable target for Tottenham. It was initially suggested that the Barcelona defender had no interest in joining Spurs, with the Blaugrana also not open to their initial offer of including Aurier in the deal.
However, the latest offer does not include the Ivorian right-back, with Tottenham set to pay €30 million to Barcelona if they meet the conditions for bonus payments. Meanwhile, Real Betis will also be eligible to receive a sum of €5 million owing to a sell-on clause.
As for Emerson, he will put pen to a five-year contract, while his medical has been scheduled for Tuesday, post which he will complete a Deadline Day move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In the end, it has turned out to be a short stint at Barcelona for the 22-year-old, and it will be interesting to see if he can kick on at Tottenham in the coming years.
