West Ham join London rivals in battle for 23m man dumped by Barcelona

Posted by Merlyn Hunt on Tuesday, August 13, 2024

West Ham United have joined the growing list of suitors keen to sign Emerson Royal from La Liga powerhouses Barcelona as reported by Calciomercato.

It is common knowledge at this stage that the Hammers are in the market for a new left-back. So reports linking David Moyes’ side with a defender who plies his trade on the right-hand side instead is something of a surprise.

Vladimir Coufal has been one of the Premier League’s most reliable performers during his debut season at the London Stadium after all.

But then again, with Ryan Fredericks struggling for game-time and out of contract in 2022, maybe reports linking West Ham with Real Betis’s buccaneering Brazilian are not that strange after all.

Mundo Deportivo reported on Wednesday that Arsenal’s pursuit of a new right-sided defender has seen Emerson emerge as a target for the Gunners.

Calciomercato, however, believe that the powerhouse 22-year-old also has admirers in the East End of London, with West Ham throwing their hat into the ring alongside Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen.

With four assists this season, the rampaging Emerson is arguably more of an attacking threat than the disciplined Coufal and would give West Ham more thrust down the right against weaker opposition.

Interestingly, while the Brazil U23 ace has made a name for himself at Betis, he is actually owned by Barcelona; although he never made a first-team appearance for the La Liga giants before being farmed out on loan.

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According to Sport, the Blaugrana will demand £23 million for his signature with PSG also interested.

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