Tottenham tussle to solve problem position with exciting Barca project signing

Emerson Royal, Jules Kounde Sevilla v Real Betis March 2021

Tottenham have joined the race to sign Barcelona and Real Betis-owned right-back Emerson Royal, according to a report in Spain.

Estadio Deportivo claims that Spurs are fighting Paris Saint-Germain and both Milan clubs for the 22-year-old. Transfer links between the Brazilian and Tottenham have surfaced before. However, the fresh speculation says that the north Londoners are now firmly in the hunt for his signature.

The source claims that Barcelona are ready to sell Emerson for €25million (£21million).

While he plays his football for Betis, his move there came after a joint operation between the Seville club and their La Liga rivals.

As such, Barca currently own 50 per cent of the player and have the biggest hand in his future.

But while Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is a fan of the right-back, his club feel willing to let him go this summer.

Indeed, they see Emerson as an ideal player from whom to raise vital cash to fund their own transfers; Barca must sell before they can buy due to the cost of the pandemic.

Spurs are supposedly in the hunt for a new right-back, with the Daily Mail reporting that boss Jose Mourinho feels unhappy with his current options.

While Serge Aurier has had a decent season, recent signing Matt Doherty has struggled to have much of an impact.

Jose Mourinho: Top-four race could go to last minute

Jose Mourinho: Top-four race could go to last minute

Jose Mourinho admits Tottenham are in a battle to finish in the top four of the Premier League, and believes the European places may only be decided in the last minute of the season.

As such, youngster Japhet Tanganga has played at right-back in four of the last nine Premier League games.

But signing Emerson will prove a difficult task, with PSG, Inter and AC Milan all in the hunt.

Betis agreed to pay half of his transfer fee from Atletico Mineiro in 2019, allowing them to retain his economic rights.


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However, Barca have the option to increase their stake in the player to 80 per cent. What’s more, they can sign him permanently from Betis at the end of this season for £5.2million.

Betis, though, would reportedly struggle to afford the player outright and so the ball is in Barcelona’s court over his future.

In any case, Barca and Betis want to agree a deal which ‘satisfy everyone’.

Shearer warns Spurs about Kane situation

Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur

Meanwhile, there could yet be one major departure from Spurs this summer in Harry Kane.

The striker will, according to reports, look to leave if his club fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Alan Shearer, though, says that it is now or never if Kane is looking to move on.

READ MORE: Shearer warns Spurs face being ‘shafted’ as ‘pivotal’ Kane moment looms