Chelsea consider raising stakes in Emerson bid

CHELSEA are considering whether to raise their offer for midfielder Emerson after Roma revealed they had already refused a £17.5 million bid from the Blues for the Brazil captain.

Claudio Ranieri needs an influential midfield spark for his new-look team, with Frank Lampard and Emmanuel Petit, whose pre-season training has been interrupted by injury, now his only recognised central midfielders.

Ranieri has been tracking Manchester United’s Juan Sebastian Veron but he is also interested in Emerson, whose place in Brazil’s midfield at the World Cup was taken at the last minute by Gilberto Silva when he sustained a freak training ground injury.

However, just a week after setting a club record transfer fee of £17m for Damien Duff, Chelsea would have to break new ground again if they are to make the Brazilian their fifth major summer signing.

Roma sporting director Franco Baldini confirmed the Blues had failed with their latest offer for Emerson, but seemed to leave the door ajar for another approach. “We have refused a £17.5 million offer from Chelsea. The player wants to stay at Roma, but it is the club who will decide the player’s future. Chelsea’s bid so far is the most significant offer,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was last night edging a little closer to being able to implement his masterplan after defender Jody Craddock was given permission to talk to Wolves. The two clubs have agreed a fee which could rise to £1.75million for the central defender.