Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr have reportedly expressed an interest in signing an out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur defender this summer.
Three years ago, the capture of Emerson Royal from Barcelona was seen as a major coup, as the 25-year-old had made a name for himself during a two-season stint with Real Betis.
Barcelona exercised their right to buy Emerson back before selling him onto Tottenham for profit, but the defender has not been able to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.
Emerson has four goals and two assists to show from 101 matches in a Spurs jersey, but he has been relegated to the Lilywhites' second-choice right-back behind Pedro Porro and has enjoyed limited game time recently.
The Brazil international did make 11 starts in the 2023-24 Premier League season, albeit mostly as an emergency centre-back or left-back, and he eventually ceded the latter spot to Oliver Skipp and Micky van de Ven.
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Al-Nassr 'have already had Emerson bid rejected'
Emerson's contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium only runs for another two seasons, and the North London club are not expected to turn their nose up to appropriate bids in the summer window.
Italian giants AC Milan are already believed to be monitoring the situation, and according to journalist Tom Barclay, both Bayern and Al-Nassr are also involved in the race.
The Saudi Pro League giants apparently tried and failed to bring Emerson to the club in January, having a bid rejected, but they are expected to reignite their interest in the summer window.
In contrast, German powerhouses Bayern Munich managed to agree a deal for one Tottenham defender in January, bringing Eric Dier to the club on an initial six-month loan.
The Englishman has since excelled in the Bavarians' backline, and Bayern have exercised their right to keep him at the club for another season after his Spurs contract expires this summer.
Which other Tottenham players are on the chopping block?
Understand Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi side Al-Nassr are ready to go back in for Emerson Royal this summer, after bid rejected in Jan. AC Milan also keen, while I'm told Bayern are monitoring his situation #thfc
— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) May 18, 2024
Emerson headlines a plethora of Tottenham players who are likely to be axed in a significant summer cull, a list involving current members of Ange Postecoglou's squad and those out on loan.
Spurs have apparently decided not to take up the option to extend Ryan Sessegnon's contract, meaning that the Englishman will leave as a free agent this summer after an injury-hit final season in North London.
Offers should also be entertained for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso, and it is still not known whether Spurs will activate the permanent clause in the contract of RB Leipzig loanee Timo Werner.
In terms of players out on loan, Japhet Tanganga's switch to Millwall is expected to be made permanent in the near future, while Tanguy Ndombele, Sergio Reguilon, Djed Spence, Joe Rodon and Troy Parrott should all be allowed to fly the nest too.
