Report: Everton target Emerson set to discuss future with Barcelona
Brazilian right-back Emerson Royal is to expected to be discussing his future at Barcelona amid reports linking him with a move to Everton.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian’s agent arrived at the Barcelona offices to have a discussion about what they plan on doing with the player, given their financial situation.
Despite signing him outright from Real Betis recently, his future at the Camp Nou is not guaranteed, and he could be on the verge of an exit this summer.
Everton have also been keen on signing the player as he’s been seen as a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman. [Sport]
Good option
Recently, on his podcast Here We Go, Fabrizio Romano stated that the Catalan side are willing to let go of the right-back, but will demand a fee of £21.5million.
He said, “Emerson’s price is around €25million. So if an important proposal will arrive, Barcelona will think about Emerson leaving the club this summer.
“But at moment he is part of the team, they are happy with him.”
Emerson has enjoyed a good domestic season for Real Betis, so it’s no surprise that he is subject to intense transfer interest from the Premier League.
He provided four assists in 34 league games, but it was his overall influence on games that helped him merit a regular spot in Manuel Pellegrini’s lineup and guided them to a sixth-place finish in La Liga.
Per StatsBomb, he averaged 2.74 touches inside the opposition penalty area per game – finding himself in the top 10 percent of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues.
Even defensively he boasts impressive numbers for a full-back. He averages 15.54 pressures, 3.26 clearances and almost 3 interceptions per game – all of which put him in the top 20 percent per category.
He may be on the higher end of our budget, but if our options do not materalise and if Arsenal look at other alternatives, we could rekindle our interest in the 22-year-old.
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