That was quick. Aston Villa’s first attempt to bring Emerson Royal back to the Premier League appears to have lasted all of a few hours.
Earlier today, we covered that Unai Emery’s side had submitted a €9m (£7.7m) offer for the former Tottenham defender. It was a figure that matched exactly what Flamengo paid Milan to sign the right-back in 2025, and looked enough to at least get serious conversations underway.
Fresh reports from Brazil now indicate Flamengo have already rejected Aston Villa’s opening proposal, although the story does not end there.
Journalist Bruno Lemos reports the Brazilian club have turned down Villa’s first bid, but negotiations between the two sides remain active. In other words, Flamengo have not slammed the door shut. They have simply told Villa they will need to do better.
Flamengo think Aston Villa have proved their point
The rejection appears to be about value as much as anything else.
According to club insider Paparazzo Rubro-Negro, there is a feeling inside Flamengo that Aston Villa’s interest itself strengthens Emerson Royal’s market position.
The thinking is straightforward: if a wealthy Premier League club and recent continental trophy winner see him as a priority target, then perhaps his value is higher than the first offer suggests.
That assessment is being reinforced by another concern.
Club officials reportedly believe selling Emerson Royal would leave Flamengo with a difficult problem to solve. Internally, there is a fear that any replacement available right now would represent a downgrade in quality.
Given the lack of elite right-backs on the market, the Brazilian side are reluctant to cash in unless the numbers become impossible to ignore.
Villa may have to pay the Premier League premium
There is also an interesting financial angle to Flamengo’s thinking. The report explains club officials recognise €9m (£7.7m) is a significant amount of money. However, they also point out that transfer fees are commonly paid in instalments.
From their perspective, receiving that fee while then having to spend heavily on a replacement does not necessarily leave them in a stronger position. That is why the club are proceeding cautiously.
Flamengo are not desperate to sell, they do not believe finding a replacement would be easy, and they view Aston Villa’s interest as evidence that Emerson Royal is worth more than the opening proposal.
Villa have made the first move. Flamengo have rejected it. The negotiations continue. And if Emery really wants the former Tottenham man, the next offer may need to look considerably more convincing.
