Long linked with a move to serve A, West Ham’s left sided defender Emerson Palmeri has found his starting place under threat this season from Ollie Scarles who has been catapulted towards first team stardom with the appointment of Graham Potter. Under Lopetegui, the idea of Hammers’ youngsters getting any game time was unimaginable.
Back in the winter, Emerson was reported as being a candidate for a summer exit and following Scarles’s development those plans are probably progressing. With the news that West Ham are being linked with an Emerson upgrade it is clear that a top-level performer needs to be brought into the club this summer: Sportwitness.co.uk detail the Hammers interest in another recruit from Italy’s serie A:
“West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion are in the picture to sign Napoli’s Mathías Olivera in the summer window….The Uruguay international played 31 games this season and ‘exploded into stardom’. His preferred position is on the left side of the defence but can also operate as a centre-back. Atlético and the Premier League trio are all looking at him.”
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Napoli’s Mathias Olivera
A versatile option on the left to compliment Wan-Bissaka on the right. And certainly giving the Hammers strength whilst Scarles develops further. With Cresswell now departing the club, obviously a further strengthening is required and selling Emerson could still add £10 million to the war chest towards recruiting someone like Olivera.
Although 27 and outside the Hammers stated ‘youth recruitment’ strategy, the Argentinian could be a top level performer for the next five years.