Arsenal are reportedly tracking Brazilian full-back Emerson Royal over a possible move in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Emerson Royal is the subject of interest from Arsenal over a move in the summer transfer window. The Gunners are also closely monitoring another Real Betis star in Guido Rodriguez.
Emerson Royal arrived at Real Betis in 2019 as part of a bizarre and complicated shared operation that involved Real Betis and Barcelona. This operation entailed both Real Betis and Barcelona to pay €6 million each for his services, with the Brazilian joining Los Verdiblancos “on loan” till the summer of 2021, when Barcelona would have the chance to sign him permanently.
If Barcelona do choose to exercise their option, they would have to pay €6 million plus €3 million as capital gains to Real Betis, with the Andalusian club getting 20 percent from future sales of the player. That percentage rises of 50 percent in case Barcelona sell him before January 2022. Emerson, meanwhile, has also popped up on the radar of Arsenal.
Arsenal could be forced into the market for a right-back in the summer transfer window, owing to the uncertain future of Hector Bellerin, who has been linked with a possible return to Barcelona. In case he ends up leaving, the Gunners will need to scour the market for a replacement, with Norwich City right-back Max Aarons a target, while Bright & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey also being tailed.
Now, Arsenal have set their sights on Emerson Royal, having had scouts closely monitor his growth this season, in addition to another Real Betis star, Guido Rodriguez. The 22-year-old has his best years ahead of him while his qualities could help the Brazilian fit into Mikel Arteta’s system at the Emirates.
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Barcelona are considering a possible move for Emerson as well, although with Sergino Dest being in fine touch this season, it will be interesting to see if they keep hold of him or sell him to another club straightaway, which will entail Real Betis to receive 50 percent of the recouped transfer fee.
For now, it looks like Emerson is a target for Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window, but with his future in Spain still not resolved, it will be interesting to see where the Brazilian full-back ends up post the end of the season.
