Should Barcelona sell Emerson Royal?

Emmet Gates

• Updated: 19 May 2021 11:07 BST
• 2 min read

Barcelona’s Emerson Royal has been linked with a move to Milan, according to reports in Italy.

Emerson, 22, is currently on loan at Real Betis this season. The Brazilian is under contract at Camp Nou until June 2024.

Given the Catalan giants precarious financial situation, they may opt to sell the right-back at the end of the season in order to bring in some much-needed cash.

Reports in Italy suggest that Milan have been scouting Emerson, and like what they see. It’s thought that an offer could be made at the end of the season for the player, as the Rossoneri believe they could alternate between he and Davide Calabria next season.

But should Barcelona sell him? Or bring him back and integrate him into the first team?

At Real Betis

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a productive season in Seville this season.

The Andalusian club are currently 7th in La Liga, and Emerson has played a key role in their season thus far.

He’s started all 18 of their league games, and has contributed two assists, in games against Huesca and, coincidentally, Barcelona.

A dynamic full-back, he likes to get forward, offering width to the likes of Nabil Fekir and Juanmi.

In comparison to Barca’s current full-backs, Sergino Dest and Sergi Roberto, Emerson is having a much more productive season than both, with the latter besting both current right-backs in dribbling and crosses per 90 minutes this term.

Sell or keep Emerson?

With Barcelona having a severe shortage of cash in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it would be well within their interest to keep a hold of Emerson and bring him into the fold for next season.

Milan attempted to sign Emerson last summer, only for contract stipulations preventing any deal from happening.

However should they come back calling for Emerson this summer, and with the right-back enjoying a good season at Betis, Barcelona may want to cash in on him and sell the player whilst his value is high in order to bring in some much-needed funds.

On the other hand, they could also sell Sergi Roberto, and bring Emerson back as Dest’s understudy. However this scenario remains unlikely.