West Ham are sizing up Chelsea full-back Emerson Palmieri after an alternative exit route ran dry, and Todd Boehly has made clear what type of deal he wants, per a trusted source.
Chelsea currently have four left-backs on their books. Marc Cucurella arrived from Brighton in a deal that could potentially rise to £62m.
He will compete with Ben Chilwell for the starting wing-back role. If Chilwell wins that duel, Cucurella can also play at left centre-back.
Marcos Alonso is also on the books, though continues to draw strong links with Barcelona. Fabrizio Romano recently claimed Alonso may yet have a part to play in bringing Thomas Tuchel’s No 1 strike target to Stamford Bridge.
Emerson Palmieri rounds out the first-team options on the left and is back in London following his loan spell with Lyon last season.
However, his stay back in the capital could be a short one, according to Romano.
The trusted transfer guru tweeted West Ham have ‘approached Chelsea’ and hope to sign the 28-year-old.
The Hammers have been linked with a series of targets at left-back as they go in search of their long-term Aaron Cresswell successor.
The most high profile name on their radar was Eintracht Frankfurt’s ultra-attacking Filip Kostic. However, the Serbian opted to join Juventus instead on Friday.
Emerson is the latest name on West Ham’s agenda and per Romano, Chelsea are open to selling.
In fact, part-owner, Todd Boehly, has reportedly ‘made clear’ he wants a permanent exit specifically.
That rules out the loan route, something that has stopped Ligue 1 side Nice’s interest in its tracks.
Emerson Palmieri a wise investment?
The Italy international has always been a capable and consistent performer for his country. Gametime with Chelsea has remained in desperately short supply, however.
Emerson did feature regularly at Lyon last term and by all accounts, raised his stock.
Indeed, Chelsea tried and failed on several occasions to recall Emerson during the January window. Those efforts came during an injury crisis on the left side of defence, though their failure to insert a recall clause meant Lyon could – and did – hold out.
Regardless, Emerson is now available and would bring with him a wealth of experience.
What’s more, David Moyes has another European campaign to juggle and squad depth will again be critical.
Moyes has already been caught out at centre-half with Ben Johnson deputising in the position due to injuries elsewhere. He cannot afford the same at left-back and Emerson could represent a smart investment if the price is right.
