Journalist Dan Kilpatrick has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur wing-back Emerson Royal wants to stay in London, amid talk that the club want to sell him.

What's the word?

The Brazilian has been well-below par this season, leading to heavy criticism from fans, and looked set to leave following a reported training ground incident before the January window.

However, he still started - and scored - in his side's last game away at Manchester City and does not currently look close to an exit. According to Kilpatrick, the player seemingly wants to stay in London, providing a big stumbling block as Spurs search for interested clubs.

Speaking on the Last Word On Spurs podcast, Kilpatrick claimed that there is no desire from the 24-year-old to leave, which may even block a move for Pedro Porro of Sporting.

He said: "There doesn't seem to be any appetite from Emerson or [Matt] Doherty to go.

"I was told Emerson does not want to leave London; he'd only go to a London club, as it stands, in the Premier League. So that's a problem."

Chaotic squad building

A catalogue of recent errors in the transfer market has led Spurs to a situation where they have three right wing-backs, but none of them are considered good enough.

Royal and Matt Doherty have both been disappointing, and Djed Spence has hardly featured since his arrival in the summer for £20m.

Although he arrived at the club with the Italian's approval, the Englishman is clearly not rated by Conte, and he is yet to start a Premier League game despite the failings of those ahead of him.

Spurs are reportedly keen on Pedro Porro, but if they are unable to shift any of their current options, we doubt there will even have room for the Spaniard.

Therefore, it is arguably imperative that Spurs try to shift the likes of Emerson, perhaps by trying to shift his intentions of staying in the capital.