Tottenham Hotspur right-back Emerson Royal is available to leave the club in January, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Royal's form

The 23-year-old has made 14 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs this season, along with six in the Champions League, but he clearly hasn't been able to impress Antonio Conte, given that the manager is said to be targeting a new right-wing back.

Earlier in the campaign, journalist Josh Bunting had some scathing criticism for the Brazilian, saying that he is 'not Premier League quality' before also labelling him 'dreadful', and now it appears as though the right-back could be heading for an exit from N17.

The Latest: Jones' update

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT about the reports linking Royal with a move away from Tottenham, Jones said:

“The Emerson report is bang on. He is available, but it’s only going to happen at the right price and you need a club to come into the picture. I don’t yet know if that will happen, especially to a degree and a level that suits Tottenham.”

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The Verdict: Right decision?

Spurs have been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon right-wing back Pedro Porro in recent weeks, and he would be an upgrade on Royal, who just isn't at the level required to play in a team with Tottenham's aspirations.

Despite football writer Seb Jenkins claiming that the 23-year-old has many 'great attributes', the Brazilian hasn't displayed these often enough since arriving at the club towards the end of the summer 2021 transfer window.

The full-back just does not offer enough to Spurs on the front foot, averaging just 0.04 assists per 90 over the past year, and attacking contributions from players in his position are a fundamental aspect of playing in Conte's three-at-the-back system.

By contrast, Porro has weighed in with 0.41 assists per 90 in the same timeframe, placing in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers in Europe's major leagues, and Conte should look to bring him to the club as soon as possible while also shipping Royal out.