London rivals agree on £15m transfer fee package for Chelsea defender

West Ham United agree fee to sign Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri

According to a tweet from Absolute Chelsea, via Fabrizio Romano (h/t Football.London), West Ham United have agreed a fee to sign out of favour Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri before the deadline day of this transfer window.

The fee agreed is around £13m plus £2m in add-ons for the Italian international, who is not in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for this season and beyond. West Ham have once attempted to sign the player, but agreement in salary demands were off the mark.

This time though, discussions of personal terms are ongoing and there is a stronger possibility of the deal going through before the deadline day.

Emerson was signed by Chelsea in the January window of 2018, from Serie A side AS Roma. Antonio Conte was the Blues manager then. Managers have come and gone at Stamford Bridge since then, but the 28-year-old hasn’t been able to cement his place as a first-choice player under any of them.

The left-back/wing-back, who was part of Italy’s Euros-winning side, spent the last season on loan at French side Lyon. He made 36 appearances in all competitions then, showing his versatility playing in every position from back to front on the left-hand side of the formation.

If this move does happen, it is good for both parties. Chelsea get some money for a player they were not going to use this season, the money which can potentially be used to sign a player that can come and help this team compete for trophies once again.

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From the player’s viewpoint, there is no point in either going out on another loan or warming the bench at Stamford Bridge. It is better to move on for a new challenge in a bid to cement his place there.