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Transfer news: West Ham drop Emerson interest, Willian trains with Fulham

<span>Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images</span>
Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

West Ham have walked away from a deal to sign Emerson Palmieri after baulking at the Chelsea left-back’s wage demands.

Advanced negotiations with Chelsea had been conducted over a fee for Emerson, who is not in Thomas Tuchel’s plans this season, and West Ham were optimistic about their chances of completing the deal.

However, West Ham have cooled their interest in the Italy left-back after speaking to him about personal terms. Emerson wants a significant raise to make the move across London. West Ham are not willing to meet the 28-year-old’s demands and, while there is a chance they could revisit the issue before the window shuts, they are now looking at other left-back targets.

Related: Manchester United weigh up loan move for Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic

David Moyes, whose side play the first leg of their Europa League Conference playoff against the Danish side Viborg on Thursday, has been focused on strengthening his defence and completed the signing of Thilo Kehrer on Wednesday. The signing is a boost for West Ham, who have started the season with Kurt Zouma as their only available centre-back.

With Nayef Aguerd ruled out after ankle surgery, Craig Dawson struggling with a hamstring injury and Angelo Ogbonna still recovering from a long-term knee injury, West Ham, who sold Issa Diop to Fulham last week, have been forced to pair Zouma with the 22-year-old full-back Ben Johnson during their first two league games.

The injury crisis forced Moyes to pursue Kehrer, who can play as a centre-back and in both full-back positions. The 25-year-old defender, who joined Paris Saint-Germain from Schalke four years ago, possesses impressive speed and will hope to make Germany’s World Cup squad.

Thilo Kehrer has completed his £10.1m move from PSG to West Ham.
Thilo Kehrer has completed his £10.1m move from PSG to West Ham. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock

West Ham are also interested in the Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken. Their first bid of £8.5m for Vanaken was turned down, but the 29-year-old Belgium international is interested in moving to England.

Willian is training at Fulham following his departure from Corinthians, but the 34-year-old has not held talks with the west London club over a deal. The former Arsenal and Chelsea winger left Corinthians on a free transfer after claiming that he and his family had received threats from the club’s fans on social media. He has returned to England to seek a new challenge and is staying fit by training at Fulham.

It remains to be seen if Willian is offered the chance to join Marco Silva’s side. Fulham have been busy in the transfer market following their promotion to the Premier League, but they are yet to talk to Willian about a short-term deal.

The former Brazil international knows the Premier League well. He spent seven years at Chelsea after joining them in 2013, winning two league titles, but a move to Arsenal did not go to plan. Willian returned to Brazil after leaving Arsenal, but he is now keen to find a new club in England.