Emerson Palmieri struggled for regular playing time at Chelsea and was keen on moving elsewhere last summer.
The 27-year-old’s desire was fulfilled when the Blues allowed him to join Lyon on a loan deal until the end of this season. As part of the agreement between the two sides, the French club retain a “priority option to buy” him in the summer.
Operating mainly as a left-back under Peter Bosz’s orders, Emerson has made 29 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side.
Despite featuring regularly for Lyon, the Brazil-born Italy international is ‘expected to return’ to the west London club, where he has a contract until 2024.
That’s according to Foot Mercato journalist Sébastien Denis, who took to Twitter to detail why the Chelsea owned player will not continue in France beyond this campaign.
Emerson devrait retourner à Chelsea. Outre son salaire trop élévé pour les finances de l'OL, le joueur n'a pas spécialement envie de rester à Lyon. Bruno Cheyrou prospecte déjà pour lui trouver un remplaçant à bas prix ou songe à tenter un nouveau latéral gauche en prêt. pic.twitter.com/1eribzYaYx
— Sébastien Denis (@sebnonda) March 22, 2022
Denis says Emerson’s salary is ‘too high’ for Lyon and the fullback ‘does not particularly’ want to extend his stay with Bosz’s side.
The situation has seen Lyon chief scout Bruno Cheyrou look for a low-cost replacement or the option of taking another player on a loan deal.
