Chelsea hijack Inter Milan to seal €55m deal for Atalanta’s Marco Palestra under Xabi Alonso

Chelsea are closing in on their first major signing of the Xabi Alonso era after agreeing terms with Atalanta for highly-rated Italian right wing-back Marco Palestra, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Romano confirmed on June 24, 2026 that a verbal agreement is in place between all parties, with Atalanta set to receive a package in excess of €55 million plus a sell-on clause. The deal represents a significant hijack by Chelsea, who moved decisively to displace Inter Milan despite the Serie A club having held an agreement with the player for the better part of a week and a half.

“For the last seven to 10 days [Inter] had an agreement done with the player on the contract terms,” Romano explained. “During these negotiations, Chelsea have entered very strong the race for Marco Palestra.”

Inter’s original proposal to Atalanta was reported to be in the region of €45 million plus €5 million in add-ons. Chelsea’s competing bid, however, came in at more than €50 million upfront, with the total package potentially reaching €60 million including bonuses — a substantially higher offer that persuaded Atalanta to accept the London club’s approach instead.

Despite the agreement between Chelsea and Atalanta, the transfer is not yet finalised. The Stamford Bridge club are currently awaiting personal term confirmation from Palestra himself before the deal can be officially concluded.

“Now Chelsea are waiting for the final green light from Palestra,” Romano noted. “Then they hope to have the ‘Here We Go’ already this week for Marco Palestra.”

Palestra, who operates primarily as a right-sided wing-back, has emerged as one of Italian football’s most coveted young talents following his development at Atalanta — a club with an established track record of producing and selling high-value defensive assets. Atalanta’s negotiating position, which included the insertion of a sell-on clause in the Chelsea deal, reflects the club’s standard approach to high-profile player sales.

For Chelsea, the signing would mark Alonso’s first major piece of transfer business since taking charge at Stamford Bridge. The former Spain and Real Madrid midfielder inherited a squad in need of structural reshaping, and securing a player of Palestra’s profile — despite competition from one of Serie A’s most decorated clubs — signals an aggressive early window for the new regime.

The move also continues a broader trend of Premier League clubs outbidding Italian sides for domestic talent, with Chelsea’s financial muscle proving decisive in redirecting a deal that had appeared close to completion at the San Siro.