Lyon confirm signing of Emerson on loan from Chelsea

Lyon have confirmed the arrival of Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri on a season-long loan.

Following the arrival of Ben Chilwell last summer, Emerson fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and he saw his standing in the squad drop even further when Thomas Tuchel came in and welcomed Marcos Alonso back into the fold.

Now third-choice in his position, Emerson was always expected to leave in some capacity this summer, and Chelsea took to their official website to confirm that Lyon have won the race for his signature.

Emerson heads to France on a season-long loan which Nizaar Kinsella notes does not include an option to buy. Both sides had discussed putting in that option but an agreement could not be found.

To facilitate the deal, Chelsea have triggered a one-year extension clause in Emerson's contract, tying him to the Stamford Bridge side until 2023.

Chelsea are really starting to build up their loan numbers ahead of the new season. Both Michy Batshuayi and Kenedy have jetted off to join Besiktas and Flamengo respectively, and there could still be plenty more to come.

American defender Matt Miazga is in Spain ahead of a season-long loan to Alaves, while AC Milan are also pushing hard in negotiations to sign regular loanee Tiemoue Bakayako.

Right-back Davide Zappacosta is in talks over a return to Italy, and before the window closes, Chelsea hope to find new homes for midfielders Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater and Lewis Baker, as well as left-back Baba Rahman.

In terms of permanent transfers, the only deal in the pipeline at the minute is the sale of young striker Ike Ugbo, who had been expected to join Genk but is now wanted by Marseille.