“Deal in place”, “Here we go” – Fabrizio Romano confirms Spurs transfer

The Emerson Royal transfer saga, which has been a major talking point throughout the summer, seems to have finally reached its conclusion.

The Brazilian right-back is reportedly on the verge of completing a move to AC Milan, with all the pieces falling into place for a transfer that has been months in the making.

The Long Road to Milan

From the very beginning of the summer transfer window, Emerson Royal’s name has been heavily linked with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur. AC Milan, one of Europe’s most storied football clubs, has been the frontrunner in the race to secure his services. The Italian giants have been keen to strengthen their defensive line, and Emerson Royal emerged as a prime target due to his versatility and experience in top-tier football.

The Brazilian, who has been at Spurs since 2021, has had a somewhat turbulent time in North London. After arriving with high expectations following his stint at FC Barcelona, Emerson struggled to establish himself as a consistent first-choice right-back under various managers at Tottenham. Despite flashes of his potential, particularly in his attacking contributions, his performances were often marred by inconsistency and occasional defensive lapses.

AC Milan’s interest in Emerson Royal can be traced back to the early days of the transfer window. Reports suggested that the player was eager for a new challenge, and the prospect of playing for a club with the prestige of Milan was an opportunity too good to pass up. Personal terms between Emerson and AC Milan were reportedly agreed upon as early as May 2024, but the real hurdle was always going to be the negotiations between the two clubs.

A Difficult Negotiation

Tottenham Hotspur, known for their tough negotiation stance under Chairman Daniel Levy, were never going to let Emerson Royal leave on the cheap. Spurs had invested a significant amount in the player when they signed him from Barcelona, and they were determined to recoup as much of that investment as possible.

The negotiations between Tottenham and AC Milan were protracted and, at times, seemed to be at an impasse. Milan, while keen on the player, was also operating under financial constraints, a common theme in Italian football. The Rossoneri were reportedly unwilling to meet Tottenham’s initial asking price, leading to a standoff that lasted for several weeks.

However, the situation began to change as the transfer window progressed. Both clubs understood the importance of making a deal happen before the window closed, especially with Emerson pushing for the move. AC Milan, eager to bolster their squad ahead of the new Serie A season and their Champions League campaign, made renewed efforts to meet Tottenham’s demands.

The Deal Is Done

As per the latest updates from respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, it appears that AC Milan and Tottenham have finally reached an agreement. The deal is reportedly worth over €15 million, a figure that represents a compromise between Milan’s initial offers and Tottenham’s valuation of the player. Emerson Royal is now set to fly out to Milan to finalize the transfer, with all indications pointing to the move being completed imminently.

Romano, who has become one of the most trusted sources for transfer news, took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to confirm the news. He shared:

“Emerson Royal to AC Milan, here we go! Deal in place for total package in excess of €15m from Spurs. Agreement with Emerson was reached in May as he only wanted Milan despite 4/5 proposals. Travel being planned as Emerson leaves #THFC and joins Milan project.”

The phrase “here we go,” which Romano is famous for using when a deal is virtually complete, sent Spurs and Milan fans alike into a frenzy. For Tottenham supporters, it signals the end of a chapter for a player who never quite fulfilled his potential at the club. For Milan fans, it marks the arrival of a player who could add a new dimension to their defense as they look to reclaim the Serie A title and make a deep run in Europe.

What’s Next for Tottenham?

With Emerson Royal’s departure now all but confirmed, the focus at Tottenham will shift to how they will address the void left in the right-back position. Currently, the club has several options to consider.

One possibility is promoting from within. Djed Spence, who joined Spurs in 2022, has had a promising preseason under new manager Ange Postecoglou. The young English right-back, known for his pace and attacking prowess, has shown flashes of brilliance in the limited opportunities he’s been given. However, whether he has done enough to convince Postecoglou that he can be a reliable option for the upcoming season remains to be seen.

Spence’s case is an interesting one. After spending time on loan last season, he returned to Tottenham with a point to prove. His performances in the preseason have suggested that he is eager to seize any opportunity that comes his way. However, the question remains whether Tottenham are willing to rely on a player with relatively little Premier League experience as their primary right-back.

Another option for Tottenham could be dipping back into the transfer market. With the window still open, the club could look to bring in a more experienced right-back to provide competition for Spence or to take the starting role outright. Several names have been linked with Spurs, but much will depend on how Postecoglou views his current squad and whether the club can identify the right player at the right price.

There’s also the possibility of Tottenham utilizing the versatile Pedro Porro, who joined the club in January 2024. Porro, primarily known as a wing-back, could be deployed in a more traditional right-back role under Postecoglou’s system. His attacking instincts and crossing ability would provide a different option, though it remains to be seen if he can adapt to the defensive responsibilities required in a back-four setup.

Conclusion

The Emerson Royal transfer saga has been one of the more intriguing storylines of the summer, with twists and turns that kept fans on edge. Now, as the move to AC Milan edges closer to completion, both clubs can begin to look forward to the new season with their squads taking shape.

For Emerson, the move represents a fresh start at one of Europe’s most iconic clubs, where he will be hoping to fulfill the potential that saw him move to Europe in the first place. For Tottenham, the focus will be on how they replace him and whether they have the right options within their squad or if reinforcements will be needed.