West Ham United have submitted a bid for Chelsea’s Emerson, reports Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian.
The Brazil-born Italy international is capable of playing anywhere on the left side, providing a versatile option for West Ham as they look to once again balance domestic and European match schedules.
West Ham Submit Bid for Emerson
West Ham have submitted a bid to sign Emerson from Chelsea.
Interest first reported by @JacobSteinberg, some confidence it will get done. #WHUFC
— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) August 15, 2022
Hammers in the Market for a Left-Back
Following the departure of Arthur Masuaku, West Ham are pursuing a replacement left-back. The Congolese international was a great servant to the Hammers but earlier this month he joined Turkish side Besiktas on loan. At the top of the list to fill the void currently is Chelsea defender Emerson.
The Euro 2020 winner spent last season on loan at Lyon under the stewardship of Dutch manager Peter Bosz. Emerson nearly surpassed his tally of games in the blue of Chelsea in that single season in Ligue 1, a nod to his role in English football. Marcos Alonso joined the club a couple of years prior to his fellow left-back and has been ahead of him in the pecking order ever since.
🚨 West Ham have made a £13m bid to Chelsea for Emerson Palmieri.
(Source: @TheAthleticUK) pic.twitter.com/pmcfL7RUvo
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 15, 2022
David Moyes beckons now with a chance for the Chelsea defender to become a more regular fixture. Aaron Cresswell is the only player remaining at the London Stadium who favours that position. The backline in general needs work done as Issa Diop has followed Masuaku out of the door and new arrival Nayef Aguerd picked up an unfortunately early injury.
Assuming they advance through the qualification stages, the Irons will have European football and so the presence of Emerson would make sense for all parties concerned.
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Chelsea Defender Conundrum
West Ham aren’t the only London club with question marks over their defence. Contract expirations were rife at Stamford Bridge in the off-season, with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger making the move to join Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. On top of that, Malang Sarr was loaned out and the rumours remain in place about the future of Alonso.
It is a case of which Chelsea defender is doing what and Emerson is of course at the fore of this. The Italian would join his fellow countryman Angelo Ogbonna and latest arrival Gianluca Scamacca in East London.
