West Ham United are closing in on their seventh signing of the summer transfer window as they look to secure the services of Chelsea defender Emerson.
The Brazil-born Italian international is set to finalise a move to the London Stadium on Tuesday after personal terms and a deal between the Hammers and the Blues were agreed on Monday. Emerson will move to David Moyes’ side for an initial £13million fee that could rise up to £15m in achievable future add-ons, once a medical is completed.
His arrival will take the club’s summer spending to around £125m, although it is understood the club are set to hold talks with Club Brugge over a move for midfielder Hans Vanaken, although no progress has been made at this stage.
READ MORE: Hans Vanaken makes West Ham transfer claim ahead of ‘new talks’ with Club Brugge over exit
Emerson, a 27-time international with Italy, was part of the national squad that won the European Championships last year and played in the penalty shootout win in the final over England at Wembley Stadium.
His arrival would see him become the third Italian international at the club and the second of the summer acquisitions, with current national team colleague Gianluca Scamacca joining from Sassuolo for £30.5m earlier this summer. Emerson and Scamacca have played once together already for Italy, both featuring in the Finalissima defeat to Argentina at Wembley in June.
Scamacca has made four appearances so far for the Irons, a full debut in the Europa Conference League play-off qualifying first leg win over Viborg, in which he scored, and three substitute appearances off the bench in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has settled well so far to life in England, although he still working towards full fitness having not played a pre-season game prior to his debut against Manchester City 16 days ago. According to first-team coach Billy McKinlay, Scamacca’s acclimatisation has been helped by already having 13-time Italian international Angelo Ogbonna at the club.
“Looks like Angelo's got a new friend, normally everyone keeps away from him,” McKinlay joked. “He's settled in really well, speaks good English and Angelo has ben more than helpful.”
With Emerson now set to become the latest Italian at the club, there will be the hope that the current Chelsea defender will settle quickly, helped by having fellow countrymen Ogbonna and Scamacca already in situ at the London Stadium.
Emerson could be signed in time for the Hammers’ second leg clash against Viborg in the play-off qualifying round of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night in Denmark, with the Hammers currently leading 3-1 after the first leg at the London Stadium, which Scamacca opened the scoring in.
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