Former Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan defender Emerson Royal is set to join Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Besiktas, as reported by Fabrizio Romano on X with his trademark “here we go” confirmation.
According to the report, the 26-year-old Brazilian international will move on an initial loan deal with a £10 million buy option. Royal is expected to travel to Turkey in the coming days to complete the necessary formalities and finalise the transfer.
Solskjær Continues Summer Rebuild
Solskjær is currently assembling a squad capable of mounting a serious title challenge next season after Besiktas endured a disappointing campaign. The club finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, trailing champions Galatasaray by 33 points and missing out on Champions League qualification.
Royal will join his former AC Milan teammate Tammy Abraham, who is also on loan at Besiktas for the 2025/26 season. The Turkish side is not expected to stop there in terms of signings, with further reinforcements likely as they look to close the gap at the top of the table.
Royal Brings Experience and Questions
Royal made just 25 appearances for AC Milan, but he was a more consistent presence at Tottenham, where he featured 101 times and scored four goals over two and a half seasons. Known as a confidence-based player, Royal often performed well when supported, but his form would dip significantly when he came under pressure.
This trait became particularly noticeable during his time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he was subject to mixed receptions from the crowd. If he can recapture his best form, he could prove to be a valuable asset for Solskjær. However, should the inconsistency that marked his previous spells return, he may find the Besiktas supporters far less forgiving than the Spurs faithful.
Solskjær will be hoping to get the most out of Royal as he continues his rebuild. Should the defender struggle to adapt, it could prove to be a short stay for both player and manager in Istanbul.
