West Ham reignite Chelsea raid with transfer fee close to being finalised; leap of faith required on personal terms
A West Ham move for Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri has risen from the ashes with a transfer fee agreement close, but personal terms may still pose a problem, per reports.
David Moyes is known to be on the hunt for a successor to Aaron Cresswell. The left-back has been a fine servant at West Ham, though at 32, his best days are behind him.
Targets from the European market including Filip Kostic and Borna Sosa had been linked. However, Kostic left Frankfurt for Juventus earlier this month, while the Sosa talk has since died down.
That opened the door for a Chelsea raid after the Blues signed Marc Cucurella.
The Spaniard will compete with Ben Chilwell at wing-back, making both Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri surplus to requirements.
Alonso is expected to join Barcelona once they’ve registered Jules Kounde. Emerson was the subject of a £13m bid from the Hammers, though the deal broke down over personal terms.
However, according to both the Evening Standard and Sky Sports, the move has been revived.
Sky state talks have resumed between both West Ham and Chelsea, and West Ham and Emerson.
Transfer fee hinted, but personal terms still a problem?
In fact, they report the fee Chelsea will receive is close to being finalised, though stop short of stating what it is. However, logic would dictate it’ll be around the £13m mark again.
All parties involved are deemed ‘hopeful’ of reaching a compromise that will sent the 28-year-old to West Ham. He has ambitions of starting for Italy at the World Cup and regular game-time will greatly aid his cause.
The Evening Standard echo much of Sky’s reporting, though add a wrinkle on the player’s end.
Emerson reportedly nets around £70,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge. They claim his new salary demands are £95,000-a-week – something that may be difficult for West Ham to stomach.
However, Emerson reportedly favours a move to West Ham over other potential suitors that include Nottingham Forest and Atalanta. That could feasibly lead to a softening of his stance on the wages front. West Ham will certainly be hoping so at least.
Sky conclude Moyes is keeping his options open in case it collapses again, though the hope is it’ll be second time lucky.
Emerson Palmieri no longer needed
Once Cucurella signed, the writing was on the wall for Emerson Palmieri.
He remains a key cog in the machine for Italy, though has always struggled for regular minutes at Chelsea.
That resulted in a loan spell to Lyon last term where by all accounts, he impressed.
However, the Ligue 1 side opted against turning his move permanent after missing out on Europe altogether.
Their loss may wind up being West Ham’s gain and if signed, Emerson will give Moyes even greater attacking threat down the left.