Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Emerson Palmieri have reportedly edged closer to exits from Chelsea this summer, with the duo subject to growing interest from overseas. According to Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport, Lazio sporting director Igli Tare is in London to enter talks with the Blues regarding each of their futures.
It's believed that Maurizio Sarri is keen to reunite with his former players following a successful stint at Stamford Bridge together. The report adds that Emerson has been granted permission to leave west London this summer, with the 27-year-old's contract set to expire in 2024.
Meanwhile, Loftus-Cheek, who has been a long-standing target for Lazio, faces an increasingly doubtful future at Chelsea having struggled for minutes under Thomas Tuchel. football.london have been told there is genuine interest from Serie A clubs regarding a permanent deal for the midfielder.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly Chelsea takeover agreement gives Thomas Tuchel La Liga transfer mission green light
However, it's said that the 26-year-old's wage demands could prove a stumbling block in any deal to sign him. Loftus-Cheek, who sees his deal in west London expire in 2024, earns £150,000-per-week so the likelihood is that he would have to take a cut on what he earns to engineer a move.
Loftus-Cheek and Emerson are valued at a combined £30million, according to CIES Football Observatory, which would hand Todd Boehly a healthy windfall to fund Thomas Tuchel's summer transfer endeavours. With the new ownership group eager to bolster Chelsea's armoury, The Telegraph report that after player sales are taken into account, the Blues boss is set to have £200million at his disposal to fuel a rebuild.
Speaking to football.london, Tuchel said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will."
football.london understand that Jules Kounde is the west London club's priority following the takeover. The Sevilla defender is keen on moving to the Blues, almost 12 months after his proposed switch to Stamford Bridge collapsed at the final hurdle.
There is a growing expectation that Chelsea will get the Kounde deal over the line this time around. But, Tuchel's search for new defenders is set to continue after that - and the windfall from Loftus-Cheek and Emerson's exits could well fund the Frenchman's arrival.
