Just two-month after his ‘dream move to Barcelona, Emerson Royal is set to join Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for £26 million ($35m).
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The Spanish giants purchased Emerson in 2019 along with fellow La Liga side Real Betis for a total fee of 12.7 million euros, to be split 50:50 by both clubs. After spending two and a half-season with Betis, Barca opted to pay 9 million euros for the Brazilian international.
The move was finalized roughly two months ago and the 22-year-old was to bring a much-needed depth in the right-back role. Before Emerson, Barca were over-reliant on Sergiño Dest with youngster Oscar Mingueza and injury-prone Sergi Roberto as alternatives.
With Emerson identified as the ideal competition for Dest, it seemed that the Brazilian international will enjoy a long career at Barca but it seems that president Joan Laporta had a different plan given the club’s financial situation.
Tottenham sign the Barcelona full-back
Every sale helps the Catalan’s current wage crisis and Emerson’s 26 million deal will surely help them in that aspect, but the move, in the long run, could be negative in the sporting aspect with Barca only have Dest as their ideal right-back option.
Sky Sports report that Emerson has agreed to join Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs side and is currently undergoing medical in Spain, before moving to the Premier League. Tottenham, after three fixtures, are currently sitting atop the EPL table and Emerson should be able to add to that success.
Should Barca have kept Emerson or should fixing the financial situation be the priority?