Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal is reportedly set to leave the club in the summer, with the defender already looking for new employers.
The 25-year-old has played a bit-part role under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou this season, with the Australian aiming to transform the Lilywhites' fortunes on the pitch.
Royal has featured in 21 Premier League matches - starting just 11 of those - finding the net on just the single occasion, during a draw with Brentford back in August.
Since making the permanent switch from La Liga giants Barcelona to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer of 2021, the full-back has appeared exactly 100 times in a competitive sense for Spurs.
Royal is set to add to that tally of appearances when Postecoglou's men host relegation-threatened Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
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Spurs' Royal 'already looking for new club'
According to Football Insider, Royal is preparing for the end of his three-year association with Tottenham at the conclusion of the current campaign.
The report claims that the Brazilian is already looking for new employers as he aims to be a key first-team player at a club in the near future.
It is understood that Tottenham - and namely head coach Postecoglou - will make Royal surplus to requirements ahead of the 2024-25 season.
A report earlier this month suggested that Spurs are prepared to listen to offers worth £20m for the 25-year-old, who is set to depart North London.
The Lilywhites are at no risk of losing the defender for free over the summer, though, with the player's contract expiring at the end of the 2025-26 term.
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Postecoglou's rebuild
Following four straight defeats in the Premier League for Tottenham, coach Postecoglou has spoken openly about his desire for a "rebuild" in the summer.
The Australian's plans to convert Spurs into a title-challenging side will certainly involve full-backs Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro, who have both impressed during their maiden terms in England.
Such plans leave Brazilian Royal down the pecking order in terms of defenders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, meaning that an exit for the player is imminent.
Due to Udogie's season-ending muscle injury, Royal could start at left-back for Spurs when Vincent Kompany's Clarets visit North London this weekend.
Carter White
