Emerson Royal has been sold by Barcelona to Tottenham Hotspur against his will. The Brazilian right back was in the starting lineup against Getafe (2-1) last Sunday, and then made the switch to the Premier League a few days later for 25 million euros. Emerson wanted to take his chance at the Camp Nou, but was told the club wanted to get rid of him. 29 days after his presentation at Barcelona, Emerson has been sold to the Spurs.
Emerson was acquired by Barcelona in 2019 for twelve million euros from Atlético Mineiro and immediately loaned to Real Betis for two years. That arrangement included that Betis was entitled to a share of the resale percentage for Emerson. Barcelona bought out that clause by transferring nine million to Betis this summer. Emerson played in the first three league games this season, two of which briefly as a substitute. Those were immediately all his matches in the Barcelona shirt.
“I thought the club wanted me to stay,” 22-year-old Emerson says in an extensive interview with marca. “Sunday I was in the starting lineup, the next day I calmly went to training.” Emerson did not know that Barcelona was then in talks with Tottenham Hotspur. “I didn’t understand what was happening because I simply didn’t know.” The club management then asked him to come to the office. “They wanted to speak to me. There I found out that they wanted to sell me. The club management told me that the situation of the club was not good, that they are going through a difficult time and that it would be better to sell me. They kicked me out with very nice words.”
Emerson then assumed that he would play the season with Barcelona. “I reiterated to them that my intention was to stay at the club. If I got my best form, I knew I would succeed,” said Emerson, who eventually agreed to leave. “I have the ambition to play. I know I had a contract and could have said I would stay, but I want to be happy. I don’t want to be in a club that I love but am sad. That’s why I decided to go.” Emerson says he doesn’t feel used by Barcelona. “Used isn’t the right word, but the way it hurts me. There were better ways to solve things.”
Or Emerson thinks Barcelona already wanted to sell him when they signed him? “When I arrived here I was sure that Barcelona did not want to sell me, but when I see what has happened, it is clear to me that when they signed me, they already had the idea to sell me.” said Emerson, who has signed a five-year contract in London.