Baba Rahman, Kenedy nearing loan moves as Chelsea close in on Emerson — reports

Most of Chelsea’s transfer market and rumor mill attentions may be trained at the center forward position, but for any actual progress, we have to look elsewhere — namely to the left wing-back position. Which, all things considered, is probably more important anyway. Unlike Álvaro Morata, Marcos Alonso doesn’t actually have a viable backup, with Conte shoe-horning in right back Davide Zappacosta over the weekend for example when the Artist Formerly Known as George Michael ran out of legs against the dynamic Ezequiel Schelotto.

Accordingly, Chelsea’s pursuit of Roma left back Emerson Palmieri makes plenty of sense, with the 23-year-old Brazilian a solid player, at minimum, by all accounts and possibly available at a discount due to his recent knee injury. This £20-22m deal is expected to conclude early this week.

Once it’s done, Chelsea’s current left wing-backs, the still recovering Baba Rahman and completely healthy but questionably proficient at left back Kenedy will be free to head out on loan. That’s the story from the Daily Mail, who add that Baba might be staying in England after all, with Everton possibly adding him to their list of targets that includes former Chelsea prospect Patrick van Aanholt as well.

Baba had been assumed to be going to Schalke 04 for a fair while now.

“I expect a decision to be taken in a relatively short term. Many things are already exchanged between Chelsea and us. Now I’m waiting for an answer from Chelsea to my most recent email. It’s not certain yet if the loan can be for 18 months.”

-Christian Heidel, Schalke 04 sporting director; source: Goal

The extend 18-month loan would make plenty of sense, especially with Baba not expected to contribute for a while yet as he finishes his recovery from the ACL injury he suffered 12 months. ago.

Kenedy, meanwhile, had been strongly linked with Newcastle, and that’s still the loan that’s expected to get finalized before the end of January.