Chelsea target Lucas Digne has begun talks with Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa in the last few days.
The Everton left-back has interest from the two Premier League sides, along with Newcastle United who are outsiders in the race for his signature.
Chelsea's in-action on signing Digne after his public spat with Toffees manager Rafael Benitez is because their main priority remains to recall Emerson from his loan at Lyon.
The terms of Chelsea's loan arrangement with the Ligue 1 giants prohibit a recall due to the presence of an option to buy in the contract.
The French side are unlikely to activate the option unless they finish in the top three and qualify for the Champions League next season, but are protected by their contract.
They ideally want to keep Emerson due to him being one of the club's best players this season.
However, Thomas Tuchel clearly wants Emerson more than Digne after losing Ben Chilwell to a cruciate ligament injury in November.
Equally, Emerson is understood to be open to returning to Stamford Bridge where he feels he will get another chance to impress the Blues boss.
To break the agreement, Chelsea will have to pay compensation.
The Blues will also decide on signing a new right wing back by the beginning of next week.
They have so far prioritisied signing a left wing back, but it led them to lose out on transfer target Kieran Trippier who joined Newcastle from Atletico Madrid last week.
They can bring back Blackpool loanee Dujon Sterling up until January 14, but are currently testing the market to see what else is possible.
Furthermore, Malang Sarr is temporarily shunning loan interest following a prolonged run in the first team, while Lewis Baker has had an offer from a Ligue 1 club but has rejected it in favour of remaining in English football.
The homegrown star, who made his first appearance for Chelsea in eight years at the weekend against Chesterfield in the FA Cup, is happy to wait until his contract expires in west London.
Having played in the Netherlands, Turkey and Germany on loan, he hopes for a long-term contract in the English game next season at an upwardly mobile Championship club.
Jake Clarke-Salter has extended his loan at Coventry City until the end of the season despite permanent transfer offers from Belgium and Holland.
Baba Rahman is set to continue on loan at Championship side Reading until the end of the season, even after an inquiry by an unnamed Premier League club during the winter transfer window.
The Blues may also be set to lose their Under-18s captain Josh Tobin, whose deal expires at the end of the season. He has had a few trials away from Cobham ahead of a potential change of club.
Chelsea will wait to do any major business next summer with midfielders Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni on their shortlist, along with defenders Wesley Fofana and Jules Kounde.
The deals of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all expire in the summer, which has only added to the importance of signing a centre back in the near future.
Further Reading
ijelejoe
0
But we are aware they have made compensation proposal to bring emerson back this January… what if digne sign and suddenly become SAUL… I don’t wish him that tho but he has not been consistent on field… lets just calm coz the boards know better than we FANS..
hmmmm okay oooo
viwadeikpz
0
hope you know that Chelsea need player bcos of chilwell absence and Alonso is not good enough and moreover Alonso is the only player left for the left wing back so Chelsea need back up, want if Alonso got injury what will happen then
But we are aware they have made compensation proposal to bring emerson back this January… what if digne sign and suddenly become SAUL… I don’t wish him that tho but he has not been consistent on field… lets just calm coz the boards know better than we FANS..
Harvertz
0
Any kingdom rules by woman always have problem.what do you guys expect rather than slowing in transfer deals
pls try to appreciate what she has done for us in Marina I trust
pebbknpst
1
Any kingdom rules by woman always have problem.what do you guys expect rather than slowing in transfer deals
Herve2
0
Chelsea don't need him because we got Emerson good decision from Chelsea board ,thats how good workers do to protect they fortune.
piaiknostu
1
Go to Aston Vila please
ijelejoe
0
Some fans just want club to keep signing… NAWAAA
hope you know that Chelsea need player bcos of chilwell absence and Alonso is not good enough and moreover Alonso is the only player left for the left wing back so Chelsea need back up, want if Alonso got injury what will happen then
viwadeikpz
0
Chelsea can never be fast when it comes to transfer this deal supposed to happen since but them will just wait till kingdom come 🙄
Some fans just want club to keep signing… NAWAAA
Alisulemangao
0
Chelsea should be fast about this because we need some of those good players
Chelsea like delaying in contract too much
vatcekmnz
1
Aston Villa are more faster than Chelsea
Pyoung419
1
Sign him
Chelsea should be fast about this because we need some of those good players
Alisulemangao
0
Sign him
ijelejoe
1
Chelsea can never be fast when it comes to transfer this deal supposed to happen since but them will just wait till kingdom come 🙄
HannDrew
1
aloso after seeing this post
mexicodegreat
3
Chelsea should sign this player.. he will be of a good help to the team.. he can play as left back and left wing back..