The prolonged saga of Emerson Royal’s future has finally concluded, with Tottenham Hotspur agreeing to sell the right-back to AC Milan for an initial fee of €15 million, plus an additional €3 million in potential add-ons. The Brazilian defender is expected to sign a four-year contract with an option for a further 12 months after completing a medical with Milan.
Emerson’s departure would significantly reduce Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou’s options at right-back, leaving Pedro Porro as the only established player in that position. Although Djed Spence has rejoined the first-team squad after loan spells at Rennes, Leeds United, and Genoa, the 24-year-old is not yet considered a reliable replacement for Emerson.
As a result, Tottenham may look to bring in a new right-back. According to an exclusive report from The Boot Room Football, the club remains interested in signing Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters. Spurs have identified three potential targets to replace Emerson: Kyle Walker-Peters, Michael Kayode, and Issa Kabore.
Kyle Walker-Peters left Tottenham for Southampton in 2020, initially on loan before making the move permanent. He has since become a dependable player for the Saints, making 167 appearances in all competitions.
The 27-year-old had an impressive 2023/24 season in the Championship, contributing three goals and three assists in 47 appearances, helping Southampton secure promotion to the Premier League. However, Walker-Peters has entered the final 12 months of his contract at St Mary’s Stadium, and Southampton are reportedly open to selling him this summer. The full-back has seen limited action in pre-season, indicating that a move may be imminent, which is promising news for Spurs as they search for Emerson’s replacement.
Since his arrival from Barcelona three summers ago, Emerson has struggled to win over the Spurs fanbase. His departure will mark the end of a tumultuous relationship with the Tottenham faithful.
Re-signing Walker-Peters could be a smart move for Postecoglou’s squad. His homegrown status and familiarity with Spurs, having come through the club’s youth ranks, make him an appealing option. Earning £20,000 per week, Walker-Peters has been praised by his former Tottenham teammate Harry Kane for his development at Southampton.
“It’s great to see new faces in the squad, especially young ones. I’m feeling older by the day,” Kane said in 2022. “I know Kyle [Walker-Peters] from his time at Spurs—he’s a great guy, works really hard, and has done exceptionally well at Southampton.”
Now 27 and entering the prime of his career, this could be the ideal time for Spurs to bring Walker-Peters back. He has the qualities to strengthen Tottenham’s defense while providing competition for Porro in the starting lineup. As a product of the Spurs academy, Walker-Peters would likely relish the opportunity to return to the club after five years away.
