Noel Whelan believes Antonio Conte has ‘made up his mind’ about Tottenham selling Emerson Royal this summer.
Emerson, 23, has struggled throughout his stint at Spurs since joining the club from Barcelona last summer.
Having started the campaign as a starting Xi regular in a back four, he has recently lost out to Matt Doherty, who has since produced positive displays against Leeds United and Everton respectively.
After just one season, Marca report the Brazilian could be on his way out of North London with Atletico Madrid leading the interest ahead of Inter Milan.
Former Premier League striker Whelan believes Conte has already decided Emerson’s fate at Spurs, given his recent decisions regarding the defender.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Spurs will be more than willing to let him go.
“It really hasn’t worked out. Tottenham are struggling massively with that wing-back role at the moment, and I think Conte has made up his mind on Royal.
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“There needs to be a reshuffle and a change of personnel for Conte to get what he needs to be successful.
“The problem for him right now is that he’s using players that three different managers have brought in.
“If you can get Royal off the books, then Tottenham will do it. He’s had enough time to prove himself and just hasn’t. Conte wants him out and he will know who he wants to go for. Now he needs to be given that chance.”
Emerson is contracted at Spurs until the summer of 2026 and has recorded just one assist in 31 appearances this season (Transfermarkt).
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The move for Emerson is heading in the direction that it hasn’t worked out and the club may have to try and recoup the fee shelled out for him.
He also doesn’t fit Conte’s set-up that well which hasn’t exactly done him many favours and the fact Doherty has overtaken him in the pecking order doesn’t bode well going forward.
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