Arsenal were convinced Tottenham Hotspur were about to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu before their north London rivals opted for the transfer of Emerson Royal instead, per The Athletic.
Spurs had tracked Tomiyasu throughout the summer 2021 window while former boss Nuno Espirito Santo targeted a new right-back. Many within the game considered the Japan star joining the Portuguese’s side to be a formality, including some with the Gunners hierarchy.
Yet Nuno and Tottenham ultimately decided that Emerson would be a better fit and agreed a deal with Barcelona. They felt he would suit a 4-3-3 system more naturally than Tomiyasu would. The package for the Brazilian’s arrival could reach £26m if all add-ons are achieved.
Arsenal had also explored Emerson’s availability to leave Barcelona, given their belief that Tottenham would sign Tomiyasu. Gunners chiefs still admired what the 23-year-old showed with Real Betis between 2019 and 2021, and discussed swapping him for Hector Bellerin.
But Tottenham preferring Emerson opened the door for Arsenal to seal Tomiyasu’s transfer from Bologna on August’s transfer deadline day. Mikel Arteta’s side paid an initial £16m for the 23-year-old, before add-ons based on his performances at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal must be overjoyed at landing Tomiyasu over Tottenham
Arsenal will look back on the transfer sliding doors moment as a gift from Tottenham, given how Tomiyasu and Emerson have fared since. The Japan star is the definite first-choice at the Emirates, while Nuno’s successor Antonio Conte sought to replace Emerson in January.
Conte utilising a five-man defence saw Spurs vigorously eye a deal with Wolves for Adama Traore. Yet the Spaniard instead opted to join Barcelona on loan with a £29m buy option.
While across north London, Arsenal centre-half Ben White hails Tomiyasu – the right-back Tottenham chose against the transfer of last summer. He told DAZN Japan, as quoted by Goal: “Tomi is amazing. He’s the best right-back I’ve ever played with.
“He’s always focused. It’s an honour to play next to him. Tomi does the simple things at a world-class level. He is very alert and he isn’t careless in games. From the beginning, he’s completely understood English and speaks as well as I do.”
Tomiyasu could make his return from injury when Arsenal host Wolves on Thursday night. He missed two games with a calf issue, but made their matchday squad against Brentford.
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