Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal has insisted that he is happy at the club.
The Brazilian international made the move to north London from Barcelona last summer for £25.8million (BBC) and had only recently returned to the Nou Camp after spending the previous two seasons at Real Betis.
Alasdair Gold predicted in a column for Football.London earlier this week that he believes the 23-year-old could potentially head back to Spain this summer if it is decided he is not best suited to the right wing-back role which Antonio Conte requires.
Royal admitted in an interview with Spanish news outlet Cadena SER earlier this month that he was aware of interest from Atletico Madrid.
According to The Telegraph, Conte wants to bring in as many as six signings this summer including two new wing-backs.
Royal lost his place in Antonio Conte’s side to Matt Doherty in February with the Republic of Ireland international having impressed against the likes of Leeds and Newcastle before his season was cruelly cut short due to injury (transfermarkt).
He told Sky Sports: “It’s been a great learning curve, I’ve been very happy here,” he said.
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“I’ve been learning about all kinds of different things. Culture, language, even food.
“So it’s been a massive development for my personal and professional life.”
SpursWeb Opinion
Royal is not suited to the way in which Conte wants his wing-backs to operate, his final ball in the attacking third of the pitch is simply not good enough and is more of a traditional full back.
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