Chelsea have spent much of the last week pursuing Roma pair Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri but it appears as if a conclusion to this transfer saga is nearing.
The Blues are locked in talks regarding a £45m double swoop for the striker and left-back but Roma are still seeking closer to £50m including add-ons for the pair, but Roma are already drawing up a shortlist of replacements for Dzeko which could indicate an agreement is near.
Emerson Palmieri’s arrival at Stamford Bridge should be relatively straight forward, with the former Brazil U17 international expected to arrive in London this week to complete a £20m move.
Wanted by Liverpool and Juventus, Palmieri is excited by the prospect of working with Antonio Conte at Chelsea and the Blues are to finally get some competition for Marcos Alonso at left wing-back.
Dzeko, on the other hand, has been more of a struggle. Last season’s golden boot winner in Serie A with 29 goals, the former Manchester City striker is seeking certain guarantees over his play-time should he make a Premier League return.
Conte wants another striker in his squad to compete with Alvaro Morata in attack but Dzeko doesn’t want to play second fiddle. Aware that Roma are willing to cash-in on him, however, the 31-year-old is prepared to make the move to Chelsea.
