'Amazing': West Ham star's rise could spell transfer for £15m ex Chelsea man

West Ham defender Emerson Palmieri could be set for a summer exit from the club following the emergence of Ollie Scarles, having been linked with a move away from the London Stadium in recent transfer windows.

Hammers manager Graham Potter has given 19-year-old more game time since arriving at the club with the full-back trusted to start the game against Arsenal on Saturday. The youngster put in a head-turning performance and was praised by his manager after full time as West Ham secured a 1-0 win.

Potter said: “I need more than a word. Amazing. That’s some performance.

Graham Potter praise for Ollie Scarles

“He’s been really, really good since we’ve come in. It’s a big thank-you to the academy, because that type of player is [rare]. And person as well - he’s a really good character. Obviously I’m saying a lot now but I need to calm it down because he’s still young and has a lot to do. But he’s got the temperament to be really […] There’s a lot to look forward to.”

Scarles looks not only a talent for the future but a player ready to impact the West Ham starting XI now with the side shaky at the back at times this season. The player’s rise to the first team could spell bad news for Emerson.

Earlier this year, Football Insider had already claimed that the club could look to move on from Emerson come the end of the season, and that was before Scarles’ impressive few weeks. Mick Brown, who previously worked as a scout at the London Stadium, said: “They’ve brought in Wan-Bissaka who has done exceptionally well for them. So their priority is on the other side, at left-back.

“I know they’re not 100% sold on Emerson, there have been concerns about his performances. Because of that, Wan-Bissaka has sometimes been forced to move over and play at left-back.”

West Ham defender linked with transfer exit

Last summer, Turkish outfit Sabah reported that Galatasaray had been weighing up a move for Emerson having missed out on signing Lucas Digne from Aston Villa.

Turkish publication Sabah reported on Tuesday that Galatasaray wanted to bring in Emerson before their window closed.

The club are said to have turned their attention to the Brazilian after they failed in their move for top left-back target Lucas Digne of Aston Villa. Emerson signed for West Ham from Chelsea in 2022 with the Hammers paying a reported £15 million for his services.

The full-back has gone on to make 105 appearances for the club, helping the side to Europa Conference League triumph, but has been largely unchallenged in that position.

Speaking about the side’s ambitions ahead of beating Arsenal last weekend, Emerson said: “We need to look up the table. We know about our qualities, and there are still a lot of games to play, so we’re confident about what we can still achieve before the end of the season.

“Who knows what we can go on to do in the future. We are where we are because we haven’t been good enough up to now, but there’s a lot of positivity within the group, and we can’t wait to get out there again on Saturday.”

In other news, West Ham play Leicester City this week but the Foxes have just sacked two coaches ahead of the fixture.