Inter Milan have opened negotiations with Chelsea FC over a move for left-back Emerson Palmieri, according to reports coming from Italy. Frank Lampard has been searching the transfer market for a new left-back recently and is willing to let Emerson depart in the summer.
Antonio Conte, who is now the manager of Inter Milan, is keen on signing his former Chelsea FC player Emerson. Conte wants to add more defensive reinforcements to his side ahead of the start of the next season. The Nerazzurri have already finalized the signing of Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid recently for a sum of €40 million.
Lampard has identified Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell to be a perfect candidate for the left-back spot in the Blues first team. Spanish international Marcos Alonso too has not impressed the Chelsea FC boss in the current season. Chilwell will reportedly cost the Blues a hefty amount in the region of €75 million.
Emerson was a regular starter for Chelsea FC under former manager Maurizio Sarri. The Italian wing-back, however, has struggled for game time under Sarri’s successor Frank Lampard. The 25-year old has appeared in only 19 Premier League games this season.
Juventus FC boss Sarri too was believed to be keen on reuniting with Emerson at the Serie A champions. However, Inter Milan have emerged as the frontrunners to secure the signing of the coveted Italian international. The Nerazzurri will soon look to table a bid for Emerson in the coming days.
Letting Emerson leave for Inter Milan could generate significant funds at Lampard’s disposal to finance his priority summer signings. The Blues coach has been very active in the transfer market, having already concluded deals for Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Buying a new left-back, however, is a top-most priority for Lampard at Chelsea FC. The defensive backline of the Blues has looked shaky in recent games. Marcos Alonso has struggled for form throughout the season and is also on the verge of being offloaded to teams interested in signing the Spaniard.
With two years still remaining on Emerson’s current Chelsea FC contract, the Blues will be able to fetch a decent amount of money on selling the player. It is reported that a price-tag of £20 million has been put on the defender by the Blues.
