Tottenham can’t lose Emerson Royal in January transfer window after ‘shock’ bid, could leave in summer
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Emerson Royal wouldn’t be allowed to leave Tottenham during the January transfer window because he has “stepped up” under Ange Postecoglou, according to Paul Robinson.
The Sun reported on 21 January that Spurs had rejected a “shock” £20million offer from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
But despite the signing of Radu Dragusin from Genoa this month Robinson is confident the club wouldn’t entertain further interest from any quarters for the 25-year-old as he has proven his value this season, although he does admit the door is potentially open for a summer exit.
Pedro Porro has taken over the starting position on the right of the Tottenham defence under Postecoglou, but Brazilian Royal has made the majority of his 18 appearances in the current campaign out of position at left-back or centre-back thanks to injuries and suspensions.
And despite being critical of him in the past that has convinced ex-England keeper Robinson that Royal needs to be kept past the deadline of a difficult transfer window.
“I don’t think they will let him go this month. I don’t think they’ll let many go,” he told Tottenham News.
“Obviously Eric Dier’s left, and the cover they needed with Dragusin coming in is there, but Emerson Royal, listen, I’ve been critical of him in the past, a lot of people have.
“But this season he’s stepped up, he really has, with Ange Postecoglou there.
“Not necessarily playing just at right-back but anywhere across the back four, he’s filled in at centre-half at times, and he’s been an important member of the squad.
“Yes, if Ange shuffles his pack again in the summer and looks to strengthen in certain areas to get more specific [then he could go].
“Pedro Porro’s nailed down the right-back spot and has been excellent this season so Emerson Royal’s not played as much there, but he has at centre-half.
“Whether the manager looks to strengthen with specific centre-half or right-back cover then you can understand Emerson Royal being moved out in a squad reshaping [after the season ends].
“But at the moment, in what’s proven to be a very, very difficult transfer window, if you’re going to let a player who’s played as many games as he has, in as many positions as he has, go it’s going to be difficult to replace him.
“So I can’t see a deal for him happening this January at all.”
In other Tottenham news, a dramatic late deal could now be back on for Spurs before the transfer deadline.
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