Barcelona exercise Emerson buy back option

Barcelona had until Monday to exercise their buy-back option on Betis right back Emerson and the Catalan club have done so, paying nine million euros for the Brazilian.

MARCA had revealed this move and Betis have now confirmed it on their official radio station.

The Andalusian club will retain a 20 percent sell-on clause on the player who spent two-and-a-half years with them.

The deal is expected to be officially announced later on Monday or early on Tuesday.

"Barcelona will pay nine million euros, it was a deal which was already more or less agreed," said Juan Bustos of RTV Betis.

"There is a good relationship between the clubs and this is good news. It is a shame to see the player leave because he has grown a lot here."

Bustos also confirmed that Juan Miranda will become a Betis player for the next three seasons, with Barcelona retaining a sell-on fee in excess of 30 percent, and that the Blaugrana aim to sell Junior Firpo.

The latter will not be returning to the Verdiblancos, however, but Betis will benefit from any fee Barcelona receive for the defender.