One of Tottenham’s summer signings admits he wanted to stay at former club

Emerson Royal has admitted he wanted to stay at Barcelona before sealing a deadline day move to Tottenham.

The Brazilian defender became Spurs’ fifth summer signing right at the end of the window and will provide competition for Japhet Tanganga and Matt Doherty at right-back.

But it sounds like Emerson actually wanted to remain at Barcelona rather than move to north London in the summer.

He told Spanish outlet Marca (as translated by ESPN): “I thought the club wanted me to stay. I started on Sunday [against Getafe]. Then, the next day I started to see a mountain of things came coming out. That Tottenham were talking with Barcelona, that it was almost done.

“I didn’t know anything. The club called me to the training ground and that is when I learned they wanted me to go.

“The directors were all there, telling me the club’s situation wasn’t good, that they were going through a difficult moment and that it was best to accept the offer.

“I repeated that I wanted to stay because it was my dream to play for Barcelona. I knew I could succeed there if I was at my best. But I’m not stupid and we reached a moment where I realised they were telling me I was going whatever happened.”

Emerson spent the last two seasons at Real Betis before Barcelona triggered a buy-back clause earlier this year – but he made just three appearances before being sold to Spurs.

He added: “I would not say I feel used, but the way they behaved hurts. There are better ways to do things. When I joined, I was sure they didn’t want to sell me, but seeing what’s happened, I’m certain they had this in mind when they brought me back.”

Despite his disappointment at having to leave Barcelona, these quotes shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing from a Tottenham point of view.

The 22-year-old could have dug his heels in and refused a move to Spurs, so he was clearly happy to join the Londoners regardless of his feelings about his Barcelona exit.

Tottenham should be happy they now have plenty of capable competition at right-back.