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Romano confirms ‘Here we go’ as Chelsea hijack move to sign Serie A wing-back

✇CaughtOffside
By:Ahad Shaukat

Chelsea have pulled off a major transfer hijack, with Marco Palestra now set to join the club from Atalanta after a verbal agreement was reached between all parties.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have agreed a package worth more than €55m, including a sell-on clause, for the Italian right-wing-back.

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The 21-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract, giving Xabi Alonso another exciting young player to build around.

This is a bold move from Chelsea because Inter Milan had been pushing strongly for Palestra.

Reports in Italy suggested Inter were close to a deal, but Chelsea stepped in quickly and offered Atalanta a stronger package.

Chelsea joined the race late and hijacked the move

Palestra is viewed as one of the most exciting young defenders in Italy.

He impressed last season on loan at Cagliari, where he played regularly, contributed one goal and four assists in Serie A, and earned senior Italy recognition.

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talkSPORT reports that Chelsea doubled Inter’s contract offer to the player, while The Times says the Blues are set to pay around £47.5m for the defender.

For Alonso, the attraction is obvious. Palestra can play as a right wing-back and is also comfortable on the opposite side, giving Chelsea tactical flexibility in a system that could rely heavily on width and attacking full-backs.

A sign of plans under Xabi Alonso

This signing also raises questions about the current full-back group.

Reece James remains a major figure, but Chelsea need reliable depth, while Malo Gusto has been linked with Manchester City.

This deal is expensive but understandable. The Blues are not just buying a backup, they are buying a player they believe can grow into one of Europe’s best wing-backs.

The deal is not officially announced, but Romano’s “here we go” makes it clear: Chelsea have beaten Inter to one of Italy’s most promising defensive talents.

Report: Chelsea step back from Tottenham midfield raid as transfer priorities shift

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Report: Chelsea could sell star to rivals to make way for imminent new signing

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Chelsea could reportedly be set to sell Malo Gusto as he emerges as a transfer target for Manchester City under Enzo Maresca.

The Blues could be prepared to make room for imminent new signing Marco Palestra by offloading Gusto, with Man City expected to be keen on the France international.

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That’s according to a report from the Times this evening, which states that Palestra looks set to complete his move to Stamford Bridge in the next 24 hours.

The talented young Italian has impressed at Atalanta and it looks like he has a big future in the game, though it could be a gamble relying on him to replace Gusto.

Chelsea taking a risk with their transfer strategy again?

Chelsea fans will surely be losing patience with some of these transfer deals, with many Blues supporters protesting against the ownership last season.

CFC have made so many signings in recent years, but most of them have been young players for the future, and it’s not a strategy that’s delivered much success so far.

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On top of that, it now seems like Chelsea are selling some of their more proven players after waiting for them to develop in the last few years.

Marc Cucurella was recently sold to Real Madrid, and now it seems Gusto could be on his way out too as City hover.

Palestra may well end up being a top player, but it’s hard to imagine him being capable of making an immediate impact and replacing a more proven defender like Gusto.

Perhaps that’s a position Chelsea can afford to make changes in, though, as they also have Reece James as someone who seems likely to remain first choice.

The post Report: Chelsea could sell star to rivals to make way for imminent new signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Done in 24 hours? David Ornstein says Chelsea transfer deal “advancing at rapid pace”

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Chelsea are reportedly advancing rapidly on a transfer deal for Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, according to David Ornstein.

The Blues were linked with Palestra earlier today, but it now looks like this could all be agreed inside the next 24 hours, according to Ornstein’s post on X.

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See below for details from Ornstein as he now says it looks like Palestra is leaning heavily towards moving to Stamford Bridge over other possible options…

? Chelsea pursuit of Marco Palestra advancing at rapid pace. Agreement with Atalanta for 21yo wing-back expected inside 24hrs. Italy int’l heavily leaning towards #CFC / Alonso project if deal struck between clubs + would fit wage structure @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/YRopRzecby

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 23, 2026

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“Chelsea pursuit of Marco Palestra advancing at rapid pace,” Ornstein posted. “Agreement with Atalanta for 21yo wing-back expected inside 24hrs. Italy int’l heavily leaning towards #CFC / Alonso project if deal struck between clubs + would fit wage structure.”

Marco Palestra transfer looks a good fit for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea

Palestra looks set to become the latest exciting young talent to join this Chelsea project, and he also looks like an ideal fit for new manager Xabi Alonso.

The Italy international has shown plenty of promise in Serie A, and his ability to play either right-back or wing-back should mean he slots in well under Alonso’s preferred tactical system.

The Spanish tactician notably used wing-backs during his successful spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, so he’ll surely be happy to have someone like Palestra giving him that option at Chelsea.

Some Chelsea fans might be frustrated, however, to see their club once again focusing on youth rather than experience.

This CFC ownership have come under criticism, with fan protests at times last season after another disappointing campaign in which the team finished without a trophy and failed to qualify for Europe.

Palestra may well end up being a top player in three years or so, but he’s not someone who looks like he’ll immediately raise the level of this Chelsea squad.

Still, a lot of big clubs have shown an interest in Palestra, such as Liverpool and Tottenham.

The post Done in 24 hours? David Ornstein says Chelsea transfer deal “advancing at rapid pace” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Ornstein exclusive says Chelsea are battling Inter Milan for €50m right wing back

✇CaughtOffside
By:Will Faulks

Chelsea are interested in Marco Palestra, according to news from David Ornstein, who says the Italian right back is a Blues target.

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By their standards, Chelsea have been very quiet in the transfer market so far. After confirming the appointment of Xabi Alonso in May, there has been little to follow.

That could soon change, according to top transfer insider David Ornstein. His latest piece for the Athletic claims that the Blues are in for Atalanta defender Marco Palestra. They’re competing with Inter Milan, who had the 21 year old in their academy some years ago.

Negotiations between Atalanta and Inter had apparently reached the point where the Serie A champions were ready to pay €45m plus €5m in bonuses to sign him. The Blues would have to at least match that if they want him.

Chelsea’s Palestra interest hints at Alonso’s plans

Signing Palestra, who plays as a right back or right wing back, would surely mean that Malo Gusto is leaving. Palestra would compete with captain Reece James on that flank.

Another possibility is a formation shift – Gusto and Palestra competing as right wing back, with James as a wide centre back option.

We still don’t know what Alonso is planning, but these first transfer moves should give us some clues.

In other news…

Gary O’Neil has been names as the new Ipswich manager, leaving Chelsea associated Strasbourg after just a few months.

Roma are under big pressure to make sales this summer to keep their FFP in line, and one midfielder is getting looks from across Europe.

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