Rumour mill keeps spinning as plenty are linked with Forest moves CHELSEA DEFENDER
IS ONE OF NAMES
IN THE FRAME
NOTTINGHAM Forest have made an enquiry to Chelsea over a possible transfer for full-back Emerson Palmieri, according to reports.
The Reds are on the search for a left-back this summer as Steve Cooper continues the rebuild of his squad.
Forest looked to be closing in on a deal for Real Betis defender Alex Moreno, having agreed a fee with his club, but the player announced this week that he has decided to remain in Spain.
That has left Forest having to turn to other targets with under four weeks of the transfer window remaining. One name to be linked is Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupinan, with the club said to have made an enquiry for the 24-year-old.
But it seems that Forest could also be looking closer to home, with The Independent claiming that they have “enquired” about the availability of Chelsea left-back Emerson.
The Reds could, however, face competition from Juventus who are said to be “interested” in the player, but that is dependent on the future of Alex Sandro.
Emerson joined Chelsea from Italian giants Roma in January 2018 for a reported fee of around £18m but he has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
He spent last season out on loan with Ligue 1 side Lyon, where he played a total of 35 games in all competitions.
The return to fitness of Ben Chilwell and Chelsea’s £62m purchase of Marc Cucurella means that Emerson is likely to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge this season. Chelsea could, therefore, be willing to sanction a deal, either on loan or permanent, this summer.
Forest are also reportedly in “advanced talks” to sign Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi.
Reds officials have met with
Biraghi’s agent Mario Giuffrida, claims Football News 24.
The report states that during the meeting, a double figure offer was put on the table alongside a fouryear deal, with an option to extend for a further year.
The Italy international initially joined Fiorentina on loan in 2017 before penning a permanent deal the following season.
During the 2019-20 season, the 29-year-old spent time with Inter Milan on loan.
Biraghi is under contract at Fiorentina until 2024.
And Forest have been linked with a shock move for West Ham United star Said Benrahma.
The Hammers are reportedly prepared to offload the 26-year-old along with Nikola Vlasic “in the next days”.
While Vlasic’s likely destination is Torino, it is said that Benrahma could be on his way to the City Ground.
The 26-year-old winger initially made the switch to the London Stadium on loan from Brentford in 2020
before signing permanently the following year.
The highly-rated star scored 11 goals and added six assists in his 47 outings last season.
But the club are seemingly now willing to offload the player who has struggled to gain consistency under manager David Moyes.
The Hammers are also wanting to make funds available for new signings after targets have slipped through the net in recent weeks, including Jesse Lingard, who joined Forest, and Amadou Onana, who opted for a move to Everton.
Benrahma, 26, is reportedly earning £58,000 a week at the London Stadium. He is under contract until 2026.