Aston Villa table €9 million offer to Flamengo for Emerson Royal | OneFootball

Aston Villa have submitted a €9 million bid to Flamengo for the services of right-back Emerson Royal, according to ESPN Brazil. Unai Emery wants the Europa League champions to add a dependable backup and competitor for Matty Cash ahead of a challenging European campaign as Champions League football returns to Villa Park.

Villa’s offer for Royal would see Flamengo recoup the exact fee they paid when they originally brought the 27-year-old Brazilian international back to his homeland from AC Milan. Since making his high-profile switch to Rio de Janeiro, the ‘great pro’ has reinvigorated his career, playing a key role for Flamengo en route to three trophies, including the 2025 Copa Libertadores. His current contract runs through December 2028, giving the Rubro-Negro a strong negotiating position.

The boardroom hierarchy at Flamengo are currently weighing tactical and financial considerations before delivering a response to Villa. They hold Emerson Royal in extremely high regard, and finding an immediate domestic replacement of a similar calibre is viewed as a challenge. While reluctant to damage their defensive depth, Flamengo need to meet specific financial balance benchmarks. However, the club recently finalised a €10 million deal to sell Ryan Roberto to Shakhtar Donetsk, meaning they are under slightly less pressure to secure immediate income.

For Aston Villa, bringing Royal back to England is an opportunistic move in the market to secure a player with vast experience across Europe. Emerson Royal possesses robust top-flight experience, having clocked up almost 200 appearances during his distinct stints with Real Betis, Barcelona, and Tottenham.

While the player is settled and content fighting for major silverware in Brazil, the appeal of returning to the elite levels of European football could significantly influence his long-term ambitions.