Chelsea are willing to pay compensation fees in order to bring Emerson Palmieri from his season loan at Lyon.
The European champions are looking to reach a compensation agreement with Lyon first as they are unable to recall Emerson due to a clause in their deal which allowed the French side an option to permanently sign the Italy international at the end of the season.
Following Ben Chilwell’s injury, manager Thomas Tuchel had considered Everton’s Lucas Digne but did not want to pump his squad with another permanent signing.
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Tuchel admitted at the weekend that Chelsea would prefer to bring Emerson back this month, instead of sourcing a defender from another club.
“I will not give you any details from that but in general I will not hide from the fact that we have a long-term injury to Ben Chilwell as our left wing-back who will miss the season,” said Tuchel.
” We know Emi, we appreciate him as a player and person in general. He had such a huge influence although he did not have a lot of minutes last season.
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“He is a top guy, top professional and he is still a Chelsea player. It is not only what I wish for. We need to evaluate the situation. We are looking into it on this position. Emi is one of the options. I will not comment further.
Lyon and Emerson’s stance
Lyon are currently not interested in letting Chelsea break the loan agreement half way through the season because of the Italian’s impact for them this season but would need to find a quality replacement of their own and have been offered Layvin Kurzawa from Paris St Germain.
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While Goal add that ‘Emerson is understood to be open to returning to Stamford Bridge where he feels he will get another chance to impress’ Tuchel.
If they can reach agreement on both fronts then Emerson will return to Stamford Bridge.
The 27-year-old joined Chelsea from Roma in 2018 and was an unused substitute in their 2021 Champions League final victory. He joined Lyon a month after starting Italy’s triumphant Euro 2020 final against England at Wembley and could be back in the familiar turf – Stamford Bridge.