Manchester United were reportedly considering a move for Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri as an alternative to Alex Telles.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was so keen to strengthen the club’s left-back position and a £15.4 m deal to sign Alex Telles from Porto was completed on the summer window deadline day.
United were also linked with Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico during the summer. But according to Fabrizio Romano on the Here We Go podcast, Manchester United’s Plan B if they failed to sign Alex Telles was to bring Emerson to Old Trafford.
According to reports, the Red devils did not make an official approach to Chelsea but the club did hold talks with Emerson’s representatives.
Chelsea, who now have three left-backs in their team after the signing of Ben Chilwell in August, were open to letting Emerson leave the club.
But, the blues were unwilling to strengthen a rival club and would not approve a loan deal which would have seen Emerson move to United.
Romano claims that Manchester United were ‘convinced’ by Emerson but were put off by Chelsea’s possible demands to sign the Italian defender on a permanent deal.
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Emerson moved to Chelsea for £17.6m from Roma in the January window of 2018 but has been unable to establish a regular role so far. Reports claimed this summer that Chelsea wanted a £26m fee for the 26-year-old.
Meanwhile, Alex Telles has been handed the No.27 shirt after his transfer move to United.
‘He is a player we have been tracking for some time and his performances over the past few years are exactly what we are looking for,’ said Solskjaer.
‘He is a fighter and a winner and will add real determination and competition to the squad. ‘Alex has the qualities, both as a player and as a person, that we want here at Manchester United.’
