Arsenal are stepping up plans to sign Real Betis fullback Emerson Royal, according to Fichajes.net. The Spanish website reports that the Brazilian is being seriously considered as a replacement for Hector Bellerin.

Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be leading contenders to sign Bellerin at the end of the season, with the 26-year-old’s ten-year association with the Gunners expected to end this summer.

His potential successor at right-back, Emerson, won’t be a cheap purchase, though. The 22-year-old is currently with Betis but he is expected to move to Barcelona as the Catalan club have an option to sign the player.

Reports suggest that Barca will look to immediately sell the defender on for a profit, with it being claimed that they will hold out for a fee in the region of €25m (£21.6m).

Arsenal are not the only team interested in Emerson either, with West Ham having also been linked with the fullback in recent months.