Lazio ‘plan appointment’ with Chelsea over deals for midfielder and defender

Lazio are planning negotiations with Chelsea over a deal for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Emerson Palmieri, according to reports.

Loftus-Cheek came through the Blues youth system and has spent time on loan with Crystal Palace and Fulham.

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The 26-year-old has always struggled to emerge as a consistent first-team option under numerous managers. Last season, he played 40 times across all competitions, 13 of those appearances came as starts in the Premier League.

Emerson, on the other hand, joined Chelsea for around £18million in 2018 and spent last season on loan with Ligue 1 club Lyon.

Both players are out of contract in 2024, so the Premier League club could opt to let them leave in the summer transfer window.

According to Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness), Lazio are looking to ‘continue negotiations’ with Chelsea over a deal for Emerson.

An ‘appointment’ is planned, where the Serie A side will look to discuss the Italian, as well as Loftus-Cheek.

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri ‘likes’ both players. The Italian manager used the English midfielder 40 times during his stint in charge at Stamford Bridge, and the player scored ten goals and provided five assists.

Sarri ‘needs’ Emerson ‘the most’, however, Chelsea want at least €15m and the player will demand at least a €4m salary.

Chelsea could use the opportunity to negotiate a deal for Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who Lazio ‘are refusing to give discounts for’.

However, Lazio chief Claudio Lotito wants to keep talks separate and is not interested in a swap or players-plus-cash deal involving Emerson and Loftus-Cheek.

Elsewhere, Sven Botman has explained why he decided to join Newcastle instead of AC Milan.

Following his £31m move to St James’ Park, Botman said: “Ultimately, Newcastle United’s great project, in combination with playing in the Premier League, was the deciding factor.

“That last one has been a dream my whole life. AC Milan also gave me a good feeling, but Newcastle United felt just a little better in the end.

“I really wanted to go to Newcastle United in January, because I also heard, and that’s a cliché, I know, that a train like this doesn’t pass by very often. But the clubs couldn’t figure it out.”