Chelsea have completed the signing of Italian right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta in a deal worth around £47 million, including add-ons.
Marco Palestra, 21, has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the club holding the option to extend it by a further year. He becomes Chelsea’s first signing since Xabi Alonso was appointed manager.
Palestra had been expected to return to his boyhood club Inter Milan, but Chelsea moved swiftly to outbid the Italian side’s reported £43 million offer. Sources in Italy also say the Premier League club offered the defender a more lucrative salary package.
“A lot of things convinced me to join Chelsea, one of the best clubs in the world,” Palestra said.
“We have so many talented players here, a very strong squad and a manager in Xabi.
“He has spoken to me about how he wants us to play, which is exciting, and we can’t wait to compete in the Premier League.”
Palestra arrives after an outstanding season on loan at Cagliari, where he was named Serie A Defender of the Year. His performances also earned him his senior international debut for Italy during the World Cup play-offs.
Chelsea are now expected to focus on strengthening their defence further, with Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace emerging as the club’s leading centre-back target. Discussions are also continuing over Pep Chavarria of Rayo Vallecano.
Meanwhile, Naija News reports that Sunderland have rejected an £8 million bid from Chelsea for captain Granit Xhaka, who previously played under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Blues have also agreed deals to sign striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP, while midfielder Valentin Barco is also expected to complete a move.
Chelsea are also weighing up the addition of another central midfielder and a versatile forward, although further arrivals are expected to depend on player departures after the club finished 10th in the Premier League last season and missed out on European qualification.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez is keen to leave and is attracting interest from Real Madrid, while Como have opened talks over a move for Trevoh Chalobah.
The futures of Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto and Tosin Adarabioyo also remain uncertain as Chelsea continue reshaping their squad ahead of the new season.
