Arsenal’s 5 current right-back transfer targets – ranked

4. Emerson Royal – Barcelona

Age: 22
Nationality: Brazilian
Contract Expiry: 2024
Price Tag: £21.5m

Not long ago the above would have read ‘Real Betis’ and not Barcelona, such is the peculiar situation surrounding Emerson Royal. Joining La Blaugrana from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in January 2019 as part of a three-way deal involving Betis, Ronald Koeman’s side have since exercised their option to bring the Brazilian to Noe Camp for €9m.

The club already have Sergino Dest on their books as the first choice option meaning Emerson will be competing for a starting spot, but they will do business with a club offering around £21.5m.

When describing the 22-year-old, he’s a slightly more composed in possession, and quicker, version of Calum Chambers. Not like-for-like in any manner, but someone who can move infield and bolster numbers and get near the box through attacking triangles.

Defensively, few stack up better in Europe than Emerson, who completes an average of 4.64 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes (91st percentile) as well as winning a healthy number of duels.

Overall he can be quite conservative in possession. There are few better of his ilk to be tactically flexible and shift into midfield, while also capable of being the most advanced option on the right flank – yet what he lacks in is adventure. In other words, attacking contributions.

One of the first names to be linked with Arsenal, given more recent developments, what he offers in the final third pushes him down the list. A npxG of 0.03 and an xA of 0.08, his final ball can often be too uninspired and his crossing requires some work.

A fine right-back but not at the top of the list compared to who else is here.