Rafinha playing for Barcelona last year. (Getty Images)
According to Mundo Deportivo, (h/t The Sun), Tottenham Hotspur are interested in young Brazilian full-back Emerson.
The 21-year-old right-back is co-owned by both Barcelona and Real Betis. Emerson initially joined Barcelona in January 2019 from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro for a sum of around £11million.
However, both Betis and Barcelona have agreed to pay half of this amount. Meanwhile, young Emerson has since then featured for Betis, with Barcelona having an option to buy him permanently for a sum of £5million next year.
Until then, he is supposed to stay at Betis. But now with the youngster attracting Tottenham due to his excellent displays this season, it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.
Despite his young age, Emerson has established himself as Betis’ first-choice man on the right, making 23 out of their overall 27 league games. Also, he has scored three goals and is currently his side’s second-highest assist-provider in the league with five to his name.
The right-back role has been a problem position for Spurs, with main man Serge Aurier failing to impress new boss Mourinho. Despite moments of individual brilliance at times, Aurier has been mostly inconsistent.
Aurier, who arrived from the French side PSG in the summer of 2017 always found it difficult to break into the first-team line-up. However, the departure of former man Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid last summer opened the doors for Aurier.
However, the Ivorian has been far from impressive, with Tottenham’s backline conceding as many as 47 goals from 29 league games. A weak defence involving Aurier has been one of the main reasons for Tottenham’s poor display this season.
The side, who finished Champions League runners-up last season are currently struggling eighth in the table. Thus, Mourinho’s pursuits of a new man at right-back makes perfect sense. Moreover, Tottenham do not have a backup in that role after the Portuguese boss decided to send Kyle Walker-Peters to Southampton on loan until the end of the season.
Hence, Tottenham must continue their pursuit of the talented Emerson and try to land him soon. Also considering Tottenham’s inconsistency at the back, bringing the in-form Emerson seems like a brilliant plan.
Mourinho’s Spurs just have one right-back in Aurier at the moment. Hence, they clearly need reinforcements and Emerson would be a good option. Moreover, being young, he is also a good future investment for the club.
