West Ham United defender Emerson Palmieri has admitted he had interest from other Premier League teams in the summer, amid suggestions Nottingham Forest were keen.
The 28-year-old made the move to the Hammers from Chelsea in a £13million deal during the transfer window. He had spent last season on loan at Lyon and had struggled to pin down a starting spot during his time at Stamford Bridge, leading to a summer exit being on the cards.
Left-back was an area the Reds needed to strengthen as part of their significant recruitment drive upon promotion to the top-flight. And they ended up bringing three in, in Omar Richards - who is yet to make his debut, having suffered a hairline fracture of the leg - Harry Toffolo and Renan Lodi.
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But prior to the arrival of the latter, Forest were also said to have “enquired” about the availability of Emerson. The injury to Richards meant they were in need of another option, and they had already seen target Alex Moreno decide to remain with Real Betis.
Juventus were also linked with Emerson at the time. But, although he didn’t specifically mention the Reds, the man himself has spoken about how he was on the radar of other English clubs before he decided to join West Ham.
“I’ve never received any offers from Serie A. Only Premier League teams were interested in me,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport, via HITC.
“I chose West Ham. And I am very happy.”
Forest signed 22 players during the summer transfer window, albeit three of their new arrivals immediately went out on loan. Getting the group to gel and figuring out his strongest side has been a challenge for boss Steve Cooper.
Lodi has made six appearances so far, having recently returned from an ankle sprain. He had a tough afternoon in Sunday’s 5-0 defeat at Arsenal.
With Richards still out of action and Toffolo now sidelined with a hamstring problem, Neco Williams had switched from the right to left-back against Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool. He started on the bench at the Emirates Stadium as Cooper altered his back line, but came on in the second half and did test the goalkeeper right at the death with a rare shot on target for Forest on the day.
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