Barcelona rejects Spurs €20 million bid for Emerson Royal

Barcelona have rejected an opening bid from Tottenham for right-back Emerson Royal worth €20 million plus Serge Aurier, sources have confirmed.

Barca expect Tottenham to return with another offer before Tuesday’s transfer deadline but sources have told ESPN it would have to be a “huge” offer for the club to consider selling.

Emerson, 22, re-joined Barca for €9m this summer after spending the last two years at Real Betis, who would be due a percentage of any future transfer fee.

He made his first start of the season against Getafe on Sunday. United States men’s national team defender Sergino Dest had been preferred in Barca’s opening two matches, with the club hopeful the competition between the two will bring out the best of both.

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Coach Ronald Koeman has expressed a desire to keep Emerson but Barca’s financial situation could force them to let him move to England if Tottenham were to significantly raise their bid.

Barca president Joan Laporta announced earlier this summer that the club’s gross debt stands at €1.35 billion and they still need to reduce their wage bill to comply with LaLiga’s spending limits.