Chelsea have hijacked Inter Milan’s move for Marco Palestra, making the 21-year-old Italian defender the first signing of the Xabi Alonso era — and at a price that reflects the urgency of a club desperate to turn the page on a turbulent season.
Palestra, who made his Italy debut this year, had been destined for the Serie A champions after a standout loan at Cagliari, where he was named the league’s best defender. But 24 hours of talks swung the deal to Stamford Bridge, with sources in Italy claiming Inter could not match Chelsea’s offer on personal terms. The fee is understood to exceed £43m.
“Chelsea beat Inter to sign Marco Palestra for £43m in first Xabi Alonso deal”
The Atalanta full‑back, equally comfortable as a wing‑back or conventional full‑back on either flank, represents the first concrete sign of Alonso’s influence. Appointed as manager — rather than head coach — in May as Liam Rosenior’s replacement, the former Spain midfielder formally takes charge on 1 July but has already been in regular contact over incomings and outgoings. He approved the Palestra deal, marking a shift from the club’s recent recruitment model.
Chelsea are far from finished. They are targeting at least one central defender, a midfielder — likely Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco — and a versatile attacker. Several players from previously agreed deals will also arrive this summer, including £40m winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting and Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha.
Meanwhile, departures are accelerating after Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid. Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for Europe, leaving Alonso with a bloated squad to trim and a fanbase demanding a return to contention. The Palestra capture is the first step — but the scale of the rebuild means many more will follow.