When Tottenham Hotspur decided to spend £26-million on deadline day last summer for Emerson Royal, the north London club believed they were getting a player that would be a key figure in their backline for years to come.
Fast forward over six months, and the transfer for the 23-year-old hasn’t gone as Spurs might have wanted. Royal’s erratic form has recently resulted in Matt Doherty earning more playing time.
As a result, Spurs could be looking to part ways this summer and have it be a one-and-done year. The Sun reports that Spurs are willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian defender they signed from Barcelona.
Now the source isn’t the most reliable; nonetheless, it isn’t far-fetched to think that manager Antonio Conte is letting Managing Director of Football Fabio Paratici that Royal isn’t part of his plans by letting Doherty play more.
Furthermore, Tottenham was interested in Adama Traoré to convert him to a right wing-back in Conte’s system. However, that transfer didn’t occur as Barcelona came in with their last-minute offer for the Wolves man.
Whether Royal leaves or not remains up in the air, but it’s clear Conte prefers an upgrade, whether it’s Doherty or another player.