Dharmesh Sheth has dropped an update on reported West Ham United transfer target Emerson Palmieri.
What's the latest?
In a recent post on Twitter, the Sky Sports reporter revealed that, despite David Moyes' £15m move for the Chelsea left-back appearing to have fallen through due to the 28-year-old's wage demands, talks between the Italy international and West Ham have now resumed, with all parties thought to be hopeful of reaching a compromise in order to push the deal through.
In his tweet, Sheth said: "Talks have resumed between West Ham United & Chelsea over signing of left-back Emerson. Club to club fee close to being finalised & discussions are ongoing with player's representatives. All parties hopeful a compromise can be reached to get a deal over the line."
Moyes will be buzzing
Considering just how arduous West Ham's attempts to bring a new left-back into the club this summer have been - with the Irons missing out on David Raum to RB Leipzig and Filip Kostic to Juventus - Sheth's claim that a deal for Emerson now looks close to being completed is sure to have left Moyes buzzing.
Indeed, with Arthur Masuaku having left the London Stadium to join Besiktas on a season-long loan - a deal which includes an option to make the move permanent next summer - earlier this month, Moyes currently has only the 32-year-old Aaron Cresswell as a natural option on the left of his defence.
As such, it is clear for all to see that - with tough Premier League and likely Europa Conference League campaigns ahead of the Hammers this season - greater depth is required in that position in order to give them the best possible chance of success both domestically and in Europe.
Considering just how impressive Emerson was during a loan spell at Lyon last season, the 28-year-old would appear to be a very astute signing for Moyes to bring into the club prior to September's transfer deadline.
Indeed, based on his 2,849 minutes of football played over the past 12 months, FBRef rank the £12.6m-rated talent in the top 7% of full-backs in Europe's big five leagues and European competitions for passes attempted per 90. He also ranks in the top 11% for passes completed, the top 21% for progressive carries, the top 29% for dribbles completed and the top 30% for shot-creating actions.
The Italian ranks in the top 36% of full-backs for shots per 90, as well as the top 42% for non-penalty xG, the top 35% for xG assisted (xG that follows a pass which assists a shot) and the top 36% for touches in the opposition penalty area over the last 365 days.
From these metrics, it is clear to see that the £75k-per-week defender is very a player in the mould of the attack-minded full-back that Moyes is hoping to add to his first-team squad this summer. That leads us to believe that Sheth's latest update on the Irons' pursuit of Emerson is sure to be news which will have left the 59-year-old coach delighted .