Arsenal attempted to sign new Tottenham acquisition Emerson Royal, by offering Hector Bellerin to Barcelona as part of a potential deal, according to a report by Marca.
Spurs pipped the Gunners to the signing of the Brazilian full-back in a deal that could reach around €30 million (£25.8m), which proved to be director Fabio Paratici’s one and only acquisition on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Emerson became the club’s fifth signing of the summer after Cristian Romero, Pierluigi Gollini, Bryan Gil and Pape Matar Sarr.
Spanish publication Marca have revealed that Spurs’ rivals Arsenal initially made an opening offer for Emerson, which consisted of an out-of-form Bellerin plus €10 million (£8.6m).
Barcelona elected to reject the Gunners’ proposal, who were reluctant to take on any players in a deal.
Spurs’ offer of cash was evidently more appealing to the Catalan side, who no doubt would have preferred that structure in order to alleviate the financial pressures they have been under.
Spurs Web Opinion
Barcelona’s financial issues have been exacerbated over the past couple of seasons, particularly following the shutdown of football due to Covid-19 last year. Should they have taken Arsenal’s offer, that would have been another name on their wage bill, which they have been trying to clear all summer. Spurs’ option looks good on paper for both parties.
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