INTER MILAN are set to offer 25million for Chelsea defender Emerson Palmeri, according to reports – but Frank Lampard wants to sign a replacement first.
Left-back Emerson, 25, was hauled off the pitch after just 34 appalling minutes during the Blues’ recent win over Arsenal.
But Lampard is set to sell the out-of-favour defender, with Ben Chilwell now the No1 transfer target.
Both of the Chelsea chief’s natural left-backs, Emerson and Marcos Alonso, have struggled for form in 2019-20.
Lampard has played Cesar Azpilicueta on the left in recent weeks in a bid to solve the problem.
And the Blues chief even handed a debut to young right-back Tariq Lamptey against Arsenal – as well as integrating Reece James into the first-team set-up.
With Chelsea desperate to get back on top form after a difficult few months, Lampard is set to bring in a new defender.
The Blues are now set to go head-to-head with Manchester City to land Leicester star Chilwell.
Should they be successful, they will immediately allow Emerson to join Inter, according to The Independent.
The Serie A giants will face competition from Italian champions Juventus, though, says the report.
Brazil-born Italian international Emerson only joined Chelsea in 2017 but has gone on to make 27 Premier League appearances.
Emerson has never been able to make the left-back spot his own, with Lampard now content to move on.
As well as sought-after Chilwell, Chelsea had been interested in Nice full-back Youcef Atal.
However, the Algerian star seriously injured his knee last month and was forced to undergo surgery.
Chelsea have also been keeping an eye on one of their former players, Nathan Ake, now of Bournemouth.
Holland star Ake is a central defender by nature, but more than competent on the left-side of defence.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are reportedly set to make an 80m bid for wantaway Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.
