Chelsea have beaten Inter Milan to the signing of Italy defender Marco Palestra in a deal worth more than £43m, making the 21-year-old the first major arrival of the Xabi Alonso era.
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 beat Inter to sign Marco Palestra for £43m+ as Alonso's first signing.”
The Atalanta defender, 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 more conventional full-back. His capture is an early sign of Alonso’s influence: the former Spain midfielder, appointed as manager rather than head coach in May to replace Liam Rosenior, approved the move after being in regular contact with the club hierarchy.
Alonso formally joins Chelsea on 1 July, but has already shaped the club’s recruitment. Chelsea are also targeting at least one central defender, a midfielder – likely to be Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco – and a further versatile attacker. Several players are scheduled to arrive this summer in deals completed last year, including £40m winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting and Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha. Further departures are expected after Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid, as Chelsea look to trim a squad that finished 10th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for Europe.
In other transfer news, Manchester United have been tipped to sign former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in a shock summer transfer. The England international endured a tough first season at Real Madrid after leaving Anfield, and could now head back to the Premier League.