Current EPL champions Chelsea are looking to complete a €54m double deal this week. Italian Club Roma seem to be the selling club in this transaction with Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko and Brazilian left back Emerson Palmeiri rumoured to be part of the deal. Antonio Conte is looking to bolster his squad in various areas. The Italian Gaffer wants a left back to compete with Marcos Alonso and an experienced striker to complement misfiring striker Alvaro Morata. The Chelsea board see Dzeko and Emerson as the potential signings who fit the bill. Reports in Italy claim that Roma see this window as the best chance to cash in, on Bosnian forward Dzeko.
With the striker turning 32 next summer, this would be the right time to offload him back to England. Dzeko scored 9 goals in 19 appearances for the club so far this season. So on the attacking front, Roma will definitely suffer a bit.
When the Italian media pointed this out, Roma president Monchi subtlely pointed out that they’d rather sign a replacement. As for Emerson Palmeiri, the player’s agent has confirmed that the player wants to move else where. Having recovered from an hamstring injury and featuring only thrice for the club so far this season, Palmeiri is rather keen to go to else where in search of first team chances.
Palmeiri is valued at €23m. Roma are going to hit quite a fortune if this deal goes through, having brought the player from Corinthians for just €2m , back in 2016. Plying his trade on the left flank, Palmeiri will give Antonio Conte the chance to rest Marcos Alonso. Marcos Alonso is the only natural left back player in the Chelsea dressing room and Palmeiri will bring with him a much needed depth.
Chelsea are also ready with a plan B, in case this deal doesn’t go through and the west London club are eyeing a loan move for Leicester City’s forward Islam Slimani. Though it’s difficult to make the 2016 Premier League leaders to let go of this player that easy, there will be an offer made probably soon.
Slimani is an integral part of the Foxes and convincing them to let go off him is going to be a tough nut to crack. Chelsea would love to get this double deal done as quickly as possible so that these new boys will get enough time to adjust to Antonio Conte’s style of play. If this deal goes through, then Chelsea would’ve acquired Barkley, Dzeko and Emerson for just €65m. This would indeed be a scoop in this era of the inflated market.
