“Deal will be done in the next few hours” – Fabrizio Romano now shares big update out of Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan are nearing an agreement for the transfer of Emerson Royal, with the deal expected to be valued at around €15 million plus add-ons. The Brazilian right-back has already reached personal terms with the Italian club and is now awaiting the final go-ahead to undergo a medical examination, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who shared the information with GIVEMESPORT.
Emerson’s tenure at Tottenham has been less than stellar, particularly during the 2023/24 season when he only started 11 Premier League matches. Pedro Porro’s dominance in the right-back position left Emerson on the sidelines, limiting his playing time significantly. Despite being surplus to requirements in North London, Emerson has caught the attention of several clubs, including AC Milan and Saudi Pro-League outfit Al-Nassr, indicating his still-valued presence in the football world.
The race to secure Emerson’s signature seems to be tilting in favor of AC Milan. Initially, Tottenham was holding out for a €20 million transfer fee. However, both clubs appear close to agreeing on a compromised fee of around €15 million. The deal now hinges on Emerson passing his medical examination, which would finalize the transfer.
Emerson’s spell at Tottenham may ultimately be seen as disappointing. The 25-year-old joined Spurs from Barcelona in 2021 after a successful loan spell at Real Betis, where his performances had garnered significant attention. Tottenham invested £25.8 million in the Brazilian full-back, hoping he would fill the void left by Kyle Walker’s departure four years earlier. Unfortunately, Emerson’s three seasons at the club were marked by inconsistency, with his role diminishing over time. Despite making 101 appearances for Tottenham, his performances never quite met the high expectations set for him, leading new manager Ange Postecoglou to opt for his transfer this summer.
In an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano elaborated on the imminent nature of the transfer: “I expect Tottenham to be very active in the transfer market. For Emerson Royal, there are ongoing discussions with Milan. This deal is expected to be completed soon. They still need to finalize some details, but the agreement is close, around €15 million plus add-ons. Tottenham initially asked for €20 million, so the gap between the two clubs isn’t significant, and Emerson is keen to move to Milan. He agreed on personal terms at the end of May. Essentially, Emerson Royal is just waiting for the clubs to reach a final agreement so he can travel and complete his medical. That’s the current situation.”
Whether Tottenham will seek a direct replacement for Emerson remains to be seen. However, new signing Archie Gray may be poised to step into the role. The former Leeds United player was frequently deployed as a right-back and could serve as a backup for Pedro Porro while also offering versatility in midfield.
One potential reinvestment area for the funds from Emerson’s sale could be in bolstering the attack. Postecoglou is reportedly interested in adding another striker to his squad, with Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke emerging as a viable option. Solanke had an impressive season, netting 19 goals and registering three assists in the Premier League. While Bournemouth is reluctant to part with their star forward, they are aware of the possibility and understand Solanke’s openness to a move. Depending on which players Tottenham might include in a potential exchange deal, negotiations could advance swiftly in the coming weeks.
Furthermore, the sale of Emerson might also allow Tottenham to explore additional targets to strengthen their squad comprehensively. With Postecoglou at the helm, there is a renewed focus on building a team capable of competing at the highest level, both domestically and in European competitions. The funds from Emerson’s transfer could provide the necessary financial flexibility to pursue key signings that align with Postecoglou’s vision for the club’s future.
In conclusion, while Emerson Royal’s time at Tottenham Hotspur may not have lived up to the initial expectations, his potential move to AC Milan represents a fresh start for the player and an opportunity for Tottenham to reinvest in their squad strategically. As the transfer window progresses, fans will be keen to see how these developments unfold and what further moves Tottenham will make to strengthen their team for the upcoming season.
