Emerson Royal finally joins AC Milan after drawn-out Tottenham transfer saga

Evening Standard

·12 August 2024

Emerson Royal finally joins AC Milan after drawn-out Tottenham transfer saga

Brazilian to wear No22 shirt at San Siro

Emerson Royal has completed his £13million transfer from Tottenham to AC Milan.

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The Brazilian defender flew into Italy on Sunday to complete a medical and sign a five-year contract to end what has become one of the summer’s more drawn-out transfer sagas.

Spurs rejected an £8.4m bid from the Serie A giants almost a month ago despite being open to selling him.

But a deal has been struck worth in the region of £13m to end Royal’s three-year stay in north London, with Spurs confirming in a statement on Monday that they had reached an agreement with Milan.

“We wish Emerson all the best for the future,” the club said.

Royal made 101 appearances after a £25.8m move from Barcelona on deadline day in 2021.

He becomes Milan’s third signing of the summer after Alvaro Morata and Strahinja Pavlovic. The right-back will take the No22 shirt at the San Siro.

Ange Postecoglou is set to go with Pedro Porro as his first-choice starter on that side of his defence in the coming season, with Djed Spence, Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin all capable of filling in as cover.