In a brief statement, Barça announced this Wednesday that Emerson Royal (1-14-1999) becomes the third signing of Laporta's new project. Emerson, who in 2019 signed a five-year contract with the Barça club although he was loaned two seasons to Betis, thus has three more years of contract with the Barça team. The news was even sung by Emerson himself, who had confirmed in the concentration of the Brazilian team that the Barça club, through its technical secretariat, had already informed him that he would join the club.
Barça's idea today is for Emerson to be part of Barça's first team next season because looking for a way out for Sergi Roberto and Dest's performance was somewhat erratic last season (the American with a Dutch passport could also play on the left if Barça did not incorporate any full-back in that position). Emerson has shown to be able to function in defenses of four and with lanes and, above all, he will give a more physical point to a team that already last year was gaining some power. Unless a meteoric offer arrives (Betis would keep 50% of the income this summer), Emerson will wear the Barça shirt until 2024 after the Catalans have paid Betis the nine million agreed in 2019, when it closed the signing of the player from Atlético Mineiro.