CHELSEA have rejected a loan offer from West Ham for Emerson Palmieri as they face a fixture pile-up, reports say.
The Hammers are searching for a left-back to provide competition and cover for Aaron Cresswell with Arthur Masuaku out injured.
Emerson is a reported transfer target for West HamCredit: Getty Images
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And Emerson, 26, who has been at Chelsea since moving from Roma in 2018, is understood to be a target.
But according to The Mirror, their approach to sign the defender was rejected by the Blues.
It comes with Chelsea approaching a busy run of EIGHT games before February ends.
That includes FA Cup and Champions League fixtures.
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As a result, manager Frank Lampard values Emerson’s position in the squad as cover for Ben Chilwell.
Chilwell, 24, has been the first choice left-back ever since making his £50million switch from Leicester.
Initially, Marcos Alonso was No2, but after a dreadful performance in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw at West Brom in September, the Spaniard has not been seen since.
It has afforded Emerson nine appearances this season.
And while the 26-year-old appears staying put, Fikayo Tomori has sealed a loan move away.
Struggling to keep five centre-backs happy, Lampard allowed Tomori to move to Italy.
He signed on a temporary six month deal with the option to make the move permanent for £25m.
Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori arrives in Italy for medical as AC Milan complete loan deal with £27million option to buy
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
