Italian international Emerson Palmieri is reportedly looking to follow Maurizio Sarri out of Chelsea to join Juventus this summer.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Emerson Palmieri is open to the idea of leaving Chelsea in the summer transfer window. Juventus, who are also looking to appoint the Blues’ boss Maurizio Sarri, are interested in signing the full-back, who is not averse to the idea of joining the Italian champions.
Emerson Palmieri has had to bide his time since joining Chelsea from AS Roma around 18 months ago. With Marcos Alonso nailed on as the first-choice left-back (left wing-back in the days of Antonio Conte), game time came at a premium. But, when the chance did come for him, the Italian international pounced on it.
With Alonso not having the best of times this past season, Emerson got the chance to usurp the Spaniard in the left-back slot. And, he did just that in the second half of the season, being preferred to Alonso for much of the time. By the end of the season, the 24-year-old had amassed 27 outings.
His performances have also helped him become a regular in the Italian national squad. And after a man-of-the-match performance against Greece, the Chelsea defender is on the radar of Serie A champions Juventus.
The Bianconeri are reportedly already set to make one acquisition from Chelsea this summer, with Maurizio Sarri expected to become their new manager. And, Juventus have set their sights back on the Premier League giants, this time to sign Emerson.
The interest in Emerson could perhaps be stemming from the fact that Alex Sandro is facing an uncertain future at the Allianz Stadium, as per Gazzetta dello Sport. If the Brazilian international leaves, Juventus would be in need of a reinforcement, seeing as Leonardo Spinazzola will be the only other left-back left at the club.
Emerson could thus, be a viable target, with the player open to the idea of joining Juventus in the summer transfer window as well. But, Chelsea are understandably reluctant to part ways with the 24-year-old, at a time when Marcos Alonso is being linked with a move to Atletico Madrid.
If Alonso leaves, Emerson will be the only recognised left-back at Chelsea and amid uncertainty surrounding their two-window transfer ban, losing the Italian international could be devastating. If the Blues are unable to get the ban frozen at the very least, they can ill afford to sell two left-backs in the same window.
But, it remains to be seen if Chelsea can persuade Emerson to reject the interest from Juventus and follow Maurizio Sarri to Turin. If they cannot, it will be interesting to see the future of the left-back slot at Stamford Bridge.
