Aston Villa have reportedly begun to look at alternative options at right-back with talks over a move for Emerson Royal said to be on hold.
The right-back position has proven to be problematic for Villa in recent years, as a heavy responsibility continues to be put on the shoulders of Matty Cash with a lack of reliable and quality competition and depth to take that strain off him.
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Kosta Nedeljkovic and Andres Garcia among others have been signed in recent times to try and solve the issue, but none who have tried have managed to convince Unai Emery, and so it appears as though we are in the market for a new right-back in this window.
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According to The Athletic though, it might not be Emerson who provides us with the solution, despite speculation earlier this month suggesting that he had emerged as our priority target and talks were ongoing between Villa and Flamengo.
Instead, it’s now reported that Villa are considering alternative options due to a lack of an agreement being found between the two clubs, and despite the Brazilian defender wanting the move, talks are said to be on hold at this time.
While the 27-year-old does boast valuable experience of playing at a high level in Spain, England and Italy, this might come as good news to some who perhaps aren’t convinced that he is the right option to bring in.
Emerson struggled at both Spurs and AC Milan before returning to Brazil, and although there is always the argument that if Emery believes he’s the right man for the job then we should trust his judgement, Emerson would need to convince many if he were to arrive.
Time will tell if negotiations are restarted in the coming weeks, but adding a new right-back, as well as a left-back, are seemingly still priorities for Villa this summer, as we look to build a squad capable of kicking on from the success that we enjoyed last season.
There have been notable incomings and outgoings already as Emery evolves his squad, and there is certainly plenty more activity expected between now and the end of the summer transfer window.