Emerson Palmeiri would prefer to join West Ham over Nottingham Forest after David Moyes’ side made a £13 million bid for Chelsea’s Premier League left-back, as reported by the London Standard.
Now, this represents quite the change of plan. With West Ham going from Filip Kostic to Emerson Palmieri, it almost feels like going into HMV hoping to find Fast and Furious 8 and coming out with Downton Abbey.
Emerson and Kostic are, after all, two very different players. The latter is one of the most creative wide players in Europe; Only Thomas Muller and Lionel Messi have set up more goals in the last four years.
Emerson, in contrast, has assisted once in 33 Premier League games, while failing to score a single goal. What the Brazil-born Italy international does offer, however, is diligent defending, versatility and plenty of big-game nous. He started Italy’s Euro 2020 final triumph over England at Wembley, after helping Chelsea reclaim the Champions League trophy with a crucial goal against Atletico Madrid en route to the final.
West Ham want Chelsea’s Emerson Palmieri
Kostic chose Juventus over West Ham earlier this month. Fortunately, Emerson is far more open to the idea of joining forces with Moyes at the London Stadium. According to The Standard, the former Roma defender – who joined Chelsea for £25 million back in 2015 – would choose the Hammers over fellow suitors Nottingham Forest and Atalanta.
West Ham made a £13 million bid on Monday. And a deal could progress quickly enough, the Standard claim, for Emerson to make his Hammers debut ahead of Sunday’s trip to Graham Potter’s Brighton and Hove Albion.
“He’s a clear example of the strength of the group at Chelsea; The togetherness. Despite playing very little, he has always contributed, he keeps a positive attitude and trains hard, awaiting his chance,” Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta said recently.
“He scored an important goal against Atletico Madrid (in the Champions League).”
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