Emerson Royal has insisted that he is "happy" at Tottenham Hotspur despite his father and agent claiming that there is a "great possibility" that he could leave the club.
Following a two-year loan spell at Real Betis from Barcelona, Royal made the permanent move to Spurs for around £22m in the summer of 2021, penning a five-year contract until June 2026.
However, the 24-year-old has failed to reach the heights expected in North London and has received widespread criticism for a number of error-prone performances.
Emerson has started 23 of his 32 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing with two goals and one assist, and enjoyed a purple patch at right wing-back at the beginning of this year, keeping big-money January addition Pedro Porro out of the team.
However, the Brazilian underwent surgery last month after sustaining a knee injury on international duty, and the defender is facing a race against time to recover before the season draws to a close.
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While Emerson continues his rehabilitation, the player's agent and father Emerson Zulu has talked up the possibility of the defender leaving Tottenham and believes a move to a top club such as Real Madrid would suit him.
Speaking on the Charla Podcast about his son's future, Emerson Zulu said: "There is a great possibility that Emerson will leave Tottenham.
"We believe it's time for him to take a bigger leap and to go to a team that fights for titles. I think he fits a giant like Real Madrid."
However, Tottenham's No.12 has since revealed that he has "never spoken" to his father about an immediate exit from Spurs and insists that he is "happy" in North London.
"Although he is entitled to his own opinion, I have never spoken to him about it and I have always made it clear that I am happy at Tottenham," Emerson told reporters as quoted by talkSPORT.
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"As a professional athlete, I am proud to represent the team that believed in me and gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills."
Emerson made just three senior appearances for Real Madrid's La Liga rivals Barcelona at the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign after recording five goals and 10 assists in 79 games during a temporary spell with Real Betis.
Real Madrid could be in the market for a new right-back in the near future, with both Lucas Vazquez and Alvaro Odriozola out of contract at the end of next season.
Emerson's long-term future at Tottenham could depend on who the North Londoners appoint as their next manager ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Just over a month after the departure of Antonio Conte, Spurs announced on Monday that acting head coach Cristian Stellini has left his post less than 24 hours after the humiliating 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United, and Ryan Mason will now take the reins until the end of the season.
Oliver Thomas
