Juventus ‘accelerate’ towards Emerson, who doesn’t like playing for Lampard — report

While the futures of neither Marcos Alonso nor Emerson Palmieri are certain, it now looks like the latter is more likely to leave. After a bright start to the season, Emerson’s form deteriorated sharply, and the Italy international hasn’t seen any minutes on the pitch since that frustrating 2-2 draw with Arsenal in January.

Yesterday, Tuttosport reinvigorated Juventus’ rumored interest in the 25-year-old. According to the report, the Old Lady are looking for a player who can serve as a deputy for Alex Sandro, who himself has seen his form dwindle. The Bianconeri do have Danilo and Mattia De Sciglio on their roster, but neither are natural left backs and having someone who has actual experience in that position — sorry Luca Pellegrini, they’re not counting you! — would improve Juventus’ squad.

Emerson apparently doesn’t like playing under managers who are “sergeant-like” (Tuttosport’s words, not mine) and he would much rather play for the “fun-loving” Maurizio Sarri — who thought Emerson was too short back in the day, but hey, that’s not our concern anymore! (Ed.note: this may be the first time in history anyone’s described Sarri as “fun-loving”.)

**UPDATE**: Emerson has hit out against all this FAKE NEWS from Tuttosport.

Fabio Paratici, Juventus CFO (that’s Chief Football Officer, not Chief Financial Officer) supposedly will initiate contact with Chelsea for Emerson soon, and there’s a belief that a bid of €25m to €30m will be sufficient to sign the player, a figure that the Old Lady are comfortable paying. Emerson is seemingly keen to Italy and it’s likely that he will get his wish soon (okay, maybe not that soon, but you know what I mean). At least Roberto Mancini will be happy.

PS: Tuttosport also adds SL Benfica’s Alejandro Grimaldo to the Chelsea left back shortlist in the same report, but we wouldn’t really trust that bit...