Milan’s interest in Brazilian defender reignited but Spurs want €30m

AC Milan have been linked with Emerson Royal in the past and their interest has been rekindled ahead of the summer window, according to a report.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) reports that Royal is the main target for a right-back role can be strengthened. It is no mystery that Milan have four targets for their summer: a centre-forward, a defensive midfielder, a right-back who can play on the left, and a centre-back.

Emerson Royal is not a new name for Milan and Italy. There was talk of him as a target for Milan years ago and in 2021 there was at least one meeting between his agents and Inter. Nothing happened and things have changed since then.

Emerson moved to Tottenham, where he experienced three difficult seasons: in the first two years he was a starter, in the last 12 months he was on the bench more. However, his CV shows a lot of experience and 10 games for Brazil.

Milan have been following him for some time and in recent weeks they have spoken with the agents who represent him. For many at Casa Milan, Emerson is the ideal name to strengthen the right flank, in which the starter is Davide Calabria, with the alternatives Alessandro Florenzi and Pierre Kalulu.

A year and two months ago, in the round of 16 of the last Champions League, Emerson Royal played for Tottenham against Milan both at San Siro and at the Tottenham Stadium, starting on the right wing and coming face to face with Theo Hernandez.

Naturally there is a problem and that is Tottenham’s request. Emerson is playing less than in the past but is still considered a very important player, and they want €30m for a player who – at 25 years of age – is about to enter his price.

Milan deem that to be a high figure. The budget for the summer is intended for the centre-forward, perhaps for a midfielder, and it is very difficult to imagine that they are willing to spend €25-30m on a right-back.