Lyon have turned down Chelsea’s initial approach to recall on-loan left-back Emerson Palmieri as Thomas Tuchel continues to search for options to fill the void left by Ben Chilwell’s long-term absence, according to Goal.
Chelsea recently decided that Chilwell needed surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament tear which rules him out for the rest of the season.
Marcos Alonso is currently the only natural left-back in Tuchel’s squad and recent reports suggest Chelsea are looking to bring in another player in that position in January.
Recalling either Emerson (on loan at Lyon) or Ian Maatsen (on loan at Coventry City) would arguably be the cheapest option.
Unfortunately, Goal claims that the former is unlikely to make an early return to Stamford Bridge after Lyon rejected Chelsea’s approach to cut the loan deal short.
Emerson is on a season-long loan at Lyon and the French club reportedly inserted an option to buy in the loan agreement with Chelsea.
Via Twitter, Goal’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella said Chelsea did not seem to have a break clause in the Emerson deal.
Kinsella further added that Tuchel “really liked” the 27-year-old’s attitude in a very limited role at Chelsea last season and is very open to working with the Italy international again.
Recalling Maatsen remains an option for Chelsea, but it remains unclear whether Tuchel considers him ready for a first-team role at Stamford Bridge.
So, Chelsea might be left with the transfer market as an option for the Blues.
The Goal’s report mentions Everton’s Lucas Digne, who is being offered to various clubs, as a potential “ideal” solution.
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