£13m ace admits he ‘chose West Ham’ over Prem rivals after Forest snub

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£13 million summer signing Emerson Palmieri has suggested that he turned down rival Premier League clubs before joining West Ham United from Chelsea, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport. 

One of many new faces at the London Stadium, the Brazil-born Italy international has taken his time to get going in claret-and-blue.

Emerson, so far, has made just a trio league starts under David Moyes. He’s been left on the bench for each of the last three outings too – including Sunday’s unfortunate 1-0 defeat to a dogged Manchester United at Old Trafford. 

What Emerson does provide, however, is some valuable competition on the left-hand side. The 2021 European Champion has caught the eye in the UEFA Conference League, operating effectively in a wing-back role while setting up Jarrod Bowen’s cracker of a strike during the 2-1 victory over Anderlecht earlier in October. 

Emerson Palmieri loving life at West Ham United after Chelsea exit

“It’s going well. The team is good. We certainly didn’t start well in the Premier League. But now we’re starting to win,” Emerson says, reflecting on his first few months at West Ham. 

“(Compatriots Angelo Ogbonna and Gianluca Scamacca) make me feel at home. Thanks to them, it was easier for me to adapt. They allowed me to get to know the team, to understand better how it works. It is always a pleasure to be together with other Italians.”

“(Lucas Paqueta) is a friend of mine and I want to help him adapt to the Premier League, both on and off the pitch. He did the same with me last year at Lyon (during Emerson’s loan spell in France). Now it’s my turn. For me it’s a natural thing because I’m giving a hand to a friend.”

According to The Standard, Emerson turned down Nottingham Forest before they landed Renan Lodi on loan from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid. And while Emerson did not mention Forest by name, he did indicate that West Ham were not the only top-flight side who tried to lure him away from Chelsea. 

“I’ve never received any offers from Serie A. Only Premier League teams were interested in me,” the 28-year-old adds. “I chose West Ham. And I am very happy.”