Emerson Palmieri COMPLETES £17.5m Blues switch from Roma

CHELSEA have completed the £17.5million signing of Emerson Palmieri from Roma.

The Brazilian left-back, 23, joins on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

He said: “I came here because it’s a great team with a great history.

“Today I am realising one of my dreams to pull on the shirt of such a great club.

“English football is something I have been watching since I was 15 years old. It is a really beautiful game over here but it is going to be even more beautiful to play it.”

Chelsea were linked with Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro but instead opted to sign Palmieri.

He will wear the No33 shirt and provide competition for Marcos Alonso on the left flank.

And Palmieri is able to play for Chelsea in the Champions League having not featured in Roma’s European campaign.

Palmieri began his career at Santos in 2012 and spent a year on loan at Palmero before joining Roma in 2015.

Blues director Marina Granovskaia added: “We are delighted to welcome Emerson to the club.

“He is a young and talented player who strengthens the squad and will provide excellent competition for places as we pursue success in three different competitions.”

Chelsea wanted Edin Dzeko included in the deal for Palmieri but are thought to have given up over his contract demands.

Boss Antonio Conte is still in the market for a striker and Arsenal star Olivier Giroud could join before the transfer window shuts tomorrow.

A move for Giroud would allow Chelsea to offload Michy Batshuayi to Borussia Dortmund – and see the Gunners land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.