Arsenal have identified Emerson Royal as a replacement for PSG target Hector Bellerin at the Emirates but, according to Estadio Deportivo, the Barcelona-owned defender could be too expensive.
Given that Bellerin has featured in just one of the last seven Premier League games, it’s not really a surprise to see the long-serving Gunner once again linked with a move away from North London.
Diario Sport claimed earlier in the week that Arsenal have told the academy graduate that he is free to leave.
Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, is understood to be his most likely destination as things stand.
And while Calum Chambers deserves a lot of credit for the way he has breathed fresh life into an Arsenal career that looked as dead as the proverbial dodo not so long ago, Arsenal will need to bring in a more convincing, long-term replacement if Bellerin does indeed depart.
According to Estadio Deportivo, Brazil international Emerson is the top target.
The rampaging right-back is one of the best in his position anywhere in Spanish football, impressing on loan at Real Betis as Manuel Pellegrini’s side push for a Europa League spot.
But this is there things get a little confusing.
Barcelona and Real Betis both co-own Emerson’s rights. And if Barca want to take the 22-year-old back from Betis before selling him on, they will have to pay £8 million in compensation to their La Liga rivals.
The Catalan giants will then demand a further £25 million from any of Emerson’s suitors, including Arsenal and, interestingly, PSG themselves.
And Estadio Deportivo believe that such a lofty price-tag makes a move to the Emirates something of a no-go.
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