Everton are back in the race to sign Barcelona’ Real Betis loanee Emerson Royal with the defender facing an uncertain future in La Liga, as reported by Sport.
It is eight months now since the Toffees launched an unsuccessful £18 million bid for a Brazil international right-back co-owned by Barca and Betis.
And, if Everton are serious about finally securing the signature of a man they have been tracking for the best part of a year, you’d think that the Merseyside giants would have to pay a fair bit more than £18 million these days.
Emerson, in his second season on loan at Real Betis, has blossomed from a promising youngster into one of the most influential attacking full-backs in Spanish football.
A human bullet train almost impossible to stop when rampaging down the wing at breakneck speed, Emerson continues to turn heads alongside the likes of Guido Rodriguez, Nabil Fekir and Aissa Mandi for an impressive Verdiblancos side who need just one more win to seal Europa League qualification.
It feels unlikely that Emerson will be sticking around to play Thursday night football at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, however.
Barcelona are expected to take Emerson back to the Camp Nou, although it is uncertain at this stage whether Ronald Koeman’s side plan to incorporate him into their rather lopsided roster or sell the former Sao Paulo youngster for a big fee – one that would ease their crippling debts.
Sport claims that Arsenal see Emerson as a replacement for Hector Bellerin – though the Gunners will struggle to stump up the £25 million required.
It is no secret that Everton want a right-back to succeed the brilliant but ageing Seamus Coleman and the stomping South American is back on their radar too.
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