West Ham United are reportedly in line to complete the signing of Chelsea defender, Emerson Palmieri, having resurrected a deal for the Italy international.
What’s the word?
As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers have reached an agreement with the Stamford Bridge outfit regarding a transfer fee – £15m including add-ons – with negotiations continuing regarding personal terms.
Writing on Twitter about the 28-year-old’s potential switch to east London, the transfer guru stated: “Emerson Palmieri deal is fully agreed between clubs since yesterday, £13m fixed fee plus £2m add-ons. There are still things to discuss on player side.
“Discussions ongoing between all the parties to complete the agreement.”
The Irons appear to have revived the deal for the 27-cap gem after recent reports had suggested that the move had collapsed due to the former Roma man’s wage demands.
Moyes delighted
That impending incoming will seemingly be West Ham’s seventh major signing of the summer thus far, with manager David Moyes having moved impressively in the market in order to improve his squad depth for the new season.
Left-back had appeared to be an area in need of strengthening for the former Everton boss this summer, with the need for a new addition having been heightened after allowing Arthur Masuaku to join Besiktas on loan.
The London Stadium outfit had previously been linked with the likes of Germany international, David Raum, as well as Stuttgart star, Borna Sosa earlier in the window, although have now settled on Emerson as the man to provide cover for first-choice full-back, Aaron Cresswell.
Moyes will no doubt be delighted to have such quality in reserve, with the Blues man having enjoyed a particularly impressive spell on loan at Ligue 1 side Lyon last term, scoring once and providing two assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.
That stint abroad saw the £75k-per-week menace come up against the Hammers in the Europa League quarter-finals, notably recording an impressive 7.1 and 7.0 matching rating, as per SofaScore, in the first and second leg, respectively.
While largely resigned to a supporting role in west London since his switch four-and-a-half years ago – having made just 71 appearances thus far for the club – that spell in France no doubt showcased what a talent the Brazil-born gem really is.
Perhaps his best attribute is the £12.6m-rated man’s quality in possession from his left-sided berth, as he ranks in the top 11% for pass completion among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, with that figure far better than the aforementioned Cresswell, who ranks in just the top 31% for the same metric.
With the club juggling European and domestic duties this season, having two such impressive additions in tow will provide Moyes will the chance to shuffle his pack when required without the fear of a drop in standard, while it should also see the pair spur each other on such will be the intense competition for places.
With defensive injuries having already been a concern this season, the 59-year-old will be simply delighted at having been able to bolster his ranks sufficiently.
