Levy identify, approach perfect player to replace departing Royal
Tottenham are “in the market” for defensive reinforcements after a new Emerson Royal exit update emerged in North London, according to Alan Hutton.
Ange Postecoglou is eager to make several changes to his Spurs squad during the summer transfer window having missed out on a place in the Champions League following a disappointing end to the season.
Emerson appears to be one of those players set to depart as he is keen to make the move to AC Milan, but the Lilywhites are expected to demand a fee of around £16.9million for his services.
Although Hutton believes Pedro Porro will still be the first choice option for Postecoglou at right-back, he thinks Daniel Levy will be already looking for reinforcements to replace Emerson as the back-up option in North London.
“They’ve got Porro to play in there,” Hutton exclusively told Tottenham News.
“With Emerson Royal, I’ve said before that when he first came in I really liked the look of him, he looked like a really attacking fullback who would fit in now to Ange’s way of playing to a certain extent, but I don’t think he can really come inside the pitch.
“But I think I’ve seen enough of him now and I don’t think he’s the answer. I don’t think he’s that go-to guy that you can trust week in and week out to give you a high level of performance. I think he makes too many mistakes at times.
“I’m sure they paid a lot of money for him and trying to recoup that will be difficult, but I understand why they’re now in the market and looking for reinforcements.“
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Tottenham in the summer transfer window?
As Hutton suggests, when fit Porro will start each and every week for Postecoglou on the right side of defence but Tottenham cannot afford to rely on the Spaniard to play every game now that European football is back on the agenda.
While new signing Archie Gray has played at fullback for Leeds United in the past, he is yet to prove himself in the top-flight and it would be naive of Spurs to assume that he will be able to immediately step into the fold out of position.
If a deal is agreed for Emerson to depart, the Lilywhites simply have to move quickly to sign a new understudy for Porro If they don’t, they risk leaving themselves short of options as they look to break back into the top four.
Hopefully, a deal can be agreed quickly for the Brazilian to make the switch to the Italian capital and then Levy and his recruitment team can begin searching the transfer market for potential replacement.