WEST HAM have joined Inter Milan in the race for Emerson Palmieri, according to reports.
The Italy international has played 55 times for Chelsea since a 2018 move from Roma - but was nowhere to be seen in Monday's season opening win at Brighton.
Ben Chilwell's arrival at Stamford Bridge has dropped Emerson back to being the third-choice left-back in Frank Lampard's pecking order.
And report on West Ham and Inter carefully monitoring his situation.
Antonio Conte's Inter have been linked with Emerson over a number of transfer windows.
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Last month, reports in Italy suggested the player had already accepted personal terms to move back to Serie A.
However Inter focused their efforts on completing a deal for fellow full-back Aleksandar Kolarov.
The deal for the 34-year-old is not thought to have halted their interest in Emerson, 26.
Instead, they are reportedly keen to open talks over a loan switch with a permanent transfer costing in the region of £23million.
West Ham's interest comes amid Chelsea's own desires on Hammers star Declan Rice.
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A possible players-plus-cash deal involving the pair has been touted but David Moyes is determined to hold on to the homegrown midfielder.
Bolstering the defence is understood to be key for the West Ham boss in the final month of the window, amid reports of rejected bids for Burnley's James Tarkowski.
The club will be desperate to secure some incomings after the much-criticised sale of Grady Diangana to West Brom for an initial £13million.
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