Chelsea have seen their request to recall Emerson from his loan spell at Lyon rejected.
The French side acquired the Italian in the summer and have no plans to let him return to Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel is desperately looking to address his options at left-back after Ben Chilwell picked up a season-ending injury.
The English full-back, who has been an impressive performer this term, sustained an ACL injury against Juventus in the Champions League and will now undergo surgery.
It means Marcos Alonso is the Blues' only player in his position.
Chelsea are still fighting on four fronts and defensive reinforcements are now required.
An Emerson recall had been on their agenda, but L'Equipe reports that Lyon have turned it down and have an option to buy the defender in the summer.
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The west Londoners do not have any recall clause, it was also claimed.
Emerson, signed from Roma in 2018, struggled to make himself a regular during his time at Stamford Bridge.
They are now having to explore other avenues with Everton's Lucas Digne supposedly an option.
Digne has fallen down the pecking order under Rafa Benitez which could benefit the Blues should the Toffees decide to sell up whilst AC Milan's Theo Hernandez is also on their radar.
Reports in Italy claim Chelsea have made contact with the Serie A outfit, who would demand a hefty fee for the full-back.
Chilwell's absence is a further blow off the field whilst on it Tuchel's side are in a poor run of form.
Touted as title contenders, Chelsea set the early pace but have fallen eight points behind leaders Manchester City are winning just four of their last ten.
Brighton are the latest side to thwart the Blues after picking up a point in west London and Tuchel claimed it was ridiculous to consider his side contenders due to their absentees.
He said: "We have seven Covid cases. We have five or six players out for six or more weeks. How should we compete in a title race?
"Everyone else who has a full squad, everybody in training has the full power to come through this league.
"We would be stupid to think we can do it out of Covid and injuries. Just play and everybody would be stupid to do it without 23 fit players."
Chelsea's next clash is against Liverpool in the capital with Timo Werner and Kai Havertz also among those missing.
