Arsenal Rumors: Gunners Found New Competition In Pursuit Of Barcelona Loanee

Arsenal is battling a handful of clubs in a race to sign a notable Barcelona star.

Emerson Royal is a Barcelona defender currently on loan at Real Betis. The Brazilian has become a regular starter for Manuel Pellegrini and his fine form made him a target for English Premier League club Arsenal, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported.

According to the report, Gunners scouts have been “closely monitoring” Emerson in hope to a make transfer swoop for the wing back in the summer.

However, things might not be as easy as it sounds for Arsenal as West Ham United has now joined the chase to sign the 22-year-old, per Italian outlet Calciomercato.

Like the Gunners, the Hammers are also eyeing to close a deal for Emerson at the end of the current campaign, the report said.

Another possible stumbling block for Arsenal is Paris Saint-Germain. The reigning Ligue 1 champions are also said to be interested in landing Emerson, who, at the moment, is likely to cost around €25 million ($29 million), Goal noted.

The Goal report added that despite the apparent interest from big-name clubs, Emerson’s parent club Barcelona is keen on making him stay with a view of injecting him into Ronald Koeman’s squad next season.

As for Emerson, the man himself has admitted that he is enjoying his loan spell at Real Betis. However, he had previously revealed his intention to return to Camp Nou this year.

"I can go to Barca in 2021, but until then I'm staying here with [Real] Betis,” Emerson told Radio Marca last year. "First I'll finish this season and then we will talk about my future, about what I do, but I have a contract with Betis, I'm happy at this club, very content, and I want to stay here.”

"When the season ends, I will speak to my agent, but in principle, I will stay with Betis," he added.

Emerson joined Real Betis on a two-year loan spell from Barcelona in the summer of 2019 .

At Camp Nou, Emerson has been likened to former Barcelona star Dani Alves due to his quickness and pesky playing style. Despite being a defender, he is also a great passer with a capability to score from long distance.

“He is also able to provide pinpoint passes to his forwards. He’s quick both and off the ball, and has all the flair one would expect of a Brazilian when he has it as his feet,” Barcelona’s official website wrote of Emerson. “But if needs be, he’s also got a tremendous shot from long range."