Tottenham listening to player bids shows they are admitting mistakes with £16m Arsenal man – our view

Last summer, Tottenham opted to sign Emerson Royal from Barcelona instead of Takehiro Tomiyasu – who eventually joined Arsenal for a fee less than £16m. But new reports suggest Spurs have regretted that decision.

Since Antonio Conte’s arrival, the Italians have ceased to be fans of the Brazil international. Now a second choice for Matt Doherty, which is proof that Conte prefers the Ireland international – who was an outcast before Conte.

Doherty has been shining for Spurs over the past few weeks – creating four goals in Tottenham’s last two Premier League games, 4-0 and 5-0 wins over Leeds United and Everton. Emerson is warming up the bench.

The Athletic Last summer, Spurs tracked Japanese star Tomiyasu for some time, but opted for Emerson – allowing Arsenal to sign Tomiyasu for £16m. Now, the new reports are proof they made a mistake.

Emerson reports evidence of Tottenham’s error on Arsenal ace Tomiyasu

The Sun newspaper that Spurs are now ready to listen to offers for Emerson, whom Fabio Paratici signed last summer for £26m. He did not fit into Conte’s full-back system, and was not adapted to life in England.

So are Tottenham now admitting they made a mistake in deciding to sign Emerson – when they could have easily acquired Tomiyasu and saved themselves £10m? Yes, Tomiyasu has starred for Arsenal so far.

The difference is of course, that Tomiyasu is more of a central defender – and played there for Japan. But he would be a much better addition to Spurs than Emerson has been – and Spurs must certainly admit fault.

In other news, Director jokes ‘primary school’ about Arsenal and Spurs rumors