Chelsea and Xabi Alonso are set to make their first signing of the transfer window in Italian wonderkid Marco Palestra. His versatility has been a major reason for Chelsea’s late move.
Palestra, 21, looked as if he was heading to Inter Milan. After initial Chelsea interest, Inter looked like they had got their man, with Palestra seemingly opting to remain in Italy rather than flying the nest to London.
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But reports emerged on Tuesday night that Chelsea had hijacked Inter Milan’s move for the two-time Italy star, with Chelsea set to pay more than Inter Milan were offering. Indeed, Palestra will earn more in wages.
Chelsea might have asked for Roma’s Wesley first, but Palestra looks like a proper signing. He was voted the best defender in Serie A last season on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta, with Alonso pushing a deal.
The four roles Chelsea believe Palestra can cover under Alonso
Ahead of Alonso’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, it remains unclear what system the Spaniard will play. At Leverkusen, he perfected a 3-4-2-1 system and won the league. At Madrid, he used a 4-2-3-1 formation.
BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella confirms Chelsea are set to sign Palestra, saying a £43m fee will change hands. But Kinsella says Chelsea believe Palestra can play in four roles. Both full-back and wing-back positions.
He said on X: “Chelsea are set to sign Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for a fee around £43m. The feeling is that he can play in both wing-back and full-back positions. Fits within the wage structure.”
How Chelsea got the better of Inter Milan this week…
Inter looked as if they had their man after brief links with Chelsea. But in the same way that Alonso came out of nowhere after the FA Cup final, and Marc Cucurella’s move to Madrid, Palestra is off to Chelsea.
RATE 1️⃣-🔟: Is Marco Palestra a good signing?
Serie A's Best Defender of 2025-26.
According to Kinsella on BBC Sport’s website, Chelsea were locked in talks to sign Palestra for 24 hours and it did the trick. Palestra has changed his preferred destination, with Chelsea offering bigger wages.
Understandably, he wanted to remain in his home country, but after such a huge offer, Chelsea have got their man. Given Chelsea are not in Europe, it is a bit of a coup to land Serie A’s best defender in 25-26.
For Chelsea to get a deal to sign the player that won such an accolade without the lure of Europe, and seeing off the challenge of an Inter side that won Serie A, perhaps points to the lure of Alonso as boss.
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