West Ham United are reportedly close to securing the services of Chelsea outcast Emerson Palmieri this summer.
According to Football Insider, West Ham United are closing in on completing a summer deal for Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri in the ongoing transfer window.
The Italian international joined Chelsea from AS Roma in 2016 and has since made 71 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting five more. Despite playing under several managers, the 28-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a regular at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel opted to send the player out on loan last summer, and Emerson spent the 2021/22 campaign with Lyon. The Chelsea defender made 36 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, but a permanent deal does not appear to be in the offing.
That is not to say that Emerson’s return to west London has changed his fortunes. He was not included in Chelsea’s first two Premier League matchday squads, and he might have played his last game for the club.
His situation has attracted attention from several clubs, one of them being West Ham United. David Moyes’s men have punched above their weight in recent seasons, and the West Ham boss will be keen to keep the upward trajectory going.
The Hammers are in talks with Chelsea for the player and remain confident about their chances of landing him. Negotiations on Tuesday were fruitful, and they remain hopeful of finalising a deal in the next 48 hours. While the chances of him featuring for West Ham this weekend are remote, it will give Moyes a chance to bring the Italian up to speed with his new surroundings.
The Irons have made a bid of £13 million and are also close to agreeing on personal terms for the player. Chelsea, for their part, are holding out for more and are demanding £15 million in transfer fee. Emerson is open to moving to West Ham, and this should make Moyes’s job easier. An experienced player who can function both as a left-back and as a left-midfielder, the 28-year-old is a dynamic presence down the wing.
Staying at Chelsea is unlikely to help Emerson in any way. Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella are ahead of him in the pecking order and will considerably limit the Italian defender’s playtime. Even if Marcos Alonso leaves amid interest from Barcelona, Cesar Azpilicueta is capable of stepping in as a reliable third choice.
Meanwhile, at West Ham, Aaron Creswell is their lone specialist left-back available on the senior roster. The 32-year-old is not just getting older but has come short in recent times thanks to his lack of discipline on the field. Bringing in a replacement is more than a luxury for Moyes, and in Emerson, the West Ham boss will be getting just that.
