Chelsea are on the verge of completing a deal for Atalanta defender Marco Palestra in excess of £43m, making the 21-year-old the first signing of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge.
Palestra had been expected to join Italian champions Inter Milan after a successful loan spell at Cagliari last season, where he was named Serie A's best defender. However, after 24 hours of talks, the Premier League club emerged as his preferred destination, with sources in Italy claiming Inter could not match Chelsea's offer on personal terms.
“Chelsea set to sign Marco Palestra for £43m as Manchester United are tipped to lure Trent Alexander-Arnold back to the Premier League.”
Palestra, who made his international debut for Italy this year, is viewed at Stamford Bridge as an exciting option capable of playing on either flank, both as a wing-back and as a more conventional full-back.
The deal is an early sign of Alonso's influence. Having been appointed as manager rather than head coach, he is understood to have approved the move – the first major signing since the former Spain midfielder was named Liam Rosenior's replacement in May. Alonso will formally join Chelsea on 1 July but has been in regular contact with the club hierarchy regarding incoming and outgoing transfers.
Chelsea are also targeting at least one central defender, as well as a midfielder – likely to be Strasbourg's Valentin Barco – with multiple sources suggesting that deal is close. A further versatile attacker is also on the list. A number of players are also scheduled to move to west London this summer in deals completed last year, including £40m winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting and Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha. There are expected to be further departures following Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid, as Chelsea look to trim their squad after a turbulent season in which they finished 10th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for Europe.
In a separate development, Manchester United are tipped to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in a shock summer transfer. The former Liverpool defender could head back to the Premier League after a tough first season at Real Madrid.