BILBAO, SPAIN – AUGUST 21: Emerson Royal of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid sign Antoine Griezmann on loan
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 15: Emerson Royal of FC Barcelona controls the ball under pressure from Julen Lobete of Real Sociedad during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on August 15, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. FC Barcelona will host between 20,000 and 22,000 fans in the stadium as the Regional government has authorised a capacity of 30 percent of the stadium with the requirement to maintain a meter and a half distance between people or groups of people who have tickets. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur complete a deal for the Brazilian right-back
Tottenham has reached an official agreement to sign right-back Emerson Royal from Barcelona for a fee of €25 million.
According to Sport, the Premier League side were able to convince the player to join. As a result, part of the fee paid to Barcelona will also be going to his former club Real Betis.
Emerson is a peculiar case in that he was only recently presented as a new signing by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
When rumors first started swirling Spurs were interested in him, it seemed a remote possibility considering Emerson had always wanted to play at Barcelona.
The Brazilian made his debut as a starter in the team’s last game. To go from starting to now in a different club has to be a bit of a roller coaster.
Spurs did not let up and their persistence has paid off. In their press release, they revealed the player signed a deal until 2026 and will wear the No. 12 jersey.
For Barcelona, they make a profit from his sale but it also shows how strapped for cash they are. Emerson’s Barcelona career lasted a total of three games.
In Emerson, Tottenham get a player who can play as a right-back or further forward. He demonstrated he could succeed in either role during his time with Betis. He should be an upgrade over Serge Aurier at the very least.
