Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Brazilian full-back Emerson from Atletico Mineiro in a €12 million deal, with the player set to join the club in the summer.
Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona have completed the signing of Atletico Mineiro defender Emerson, the club have confirmed on their official website.
The Catalans have agreed a transfer fee of €12 million for the 20-year-old right-back with the Brazilian outfit. Emerson will move to Camp Nou in July 1, 2019. He is set to spend the rest of the season on loan at Barca’s La Liga rivals Real Betis, the Green and Whites confirmed on their club website.
“FC Barcelona and Atletico Mineiro have reached an agreement for the transfer of Emerson Aparecida Leite de Souza Junior,” the statement released by the La Liga champions said. “The Brazilian will be officially joining the Catalan club on 1 July 2019.
“The fee has been set at €12m and the player will be signing for the next five seasons, through to 2023-24.”
Emerson has been with Atletico Mineiro for less than twelve months, having only switched to the club in April 2018 from fellow Brazilian club Ponte Preta, where he came through the youth ranks. Since joining the club, the defender has featured in 23 matches, chipping in with one goal and assist apiece.
❗️BREAKING NEWS❗️
Agreement with Atlético Mineiro for Emerson transfer; he'll join FC Barcelona on 1 July 2019.
All the details ? https://t.co/qFFBNmEP9n pic.twitter.com/xJJoG9EJnV— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 31, 2019
Emerson has represented the Brazil national team on various youth levels and is currently away on international duty with the Selecao’s U20 side in the South American U20 Championship that is being held in Chile and finishes on February 10. The 20-year-old played the full 90 minutes in his team’s 0-0 draw against Colombia this week.
Emerson, in his fledgling career, has earned a reputation for his attacking nature from the right-back position, drawing comparisons to Barcelona and Brazil legend Dani Alves. The Catalans have beaten a number of European clubs, including the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, to the 20-year-old’s signing.
The right-back slot has been a bit of a problematic one for Barcelona ever since the departure of Alves. They currently operate with Portuguese international Nelson Semedo as the first-choice with utility man Sergi Roberto providing cover in the position.
With Emerson set to join up with the club in the summer, the Catalans will be hoping that the 20-year-old will be able to live up the promise that he has shown so far in his short career and push Semedo for the starting berth in Ernesto Valverde’s team.
