While it is unclear if he was actually in attendance for Chelsea’s defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League, Behdad Eghbali met with some of his counterparts before the game.
The game is one Enzo Maresca and his players will likely want to forget after they were beaten 2-1 by the Italian side, putting a major dent in their hopes of automatically qualifying for the Round of 16.
Eghbali has been present at Champions League games this season, personally watching their most impressive performance of the season at Stamford Bridge against Barcelona.
The Chelsea owner was spotted congratulating Marc Cucurella for his performance, however the purpose of his visit this time around was based more around business matters.
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Behdad Eghbali looking to form working relationship between Chelsea and Atalanta
As per the Mail Online, Eghbali met a contingent of Atalanta chiefs, including CEO Luca Percassi, a former Chelsea player between 1998-2000.
The report goes on to say that the purpose of the meeting was for “building networks, fostering dialogue and pursuing shared growth”.
While this is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of the club’s very strong relationship with Strasbourg, there may be hope that the Blues could look to prosper from some of the talented players who impressed up against them on Tuesday.
The Atalanta players Chelsea could look to sign
Chelsea have previously been linked with Ademola Lookman, who at one point looked certain to leave Atalanta before they hired a new manager.
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Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali and directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart at Wolves game
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His contract expires in 2027, meaning he could be available on a cut-price deal.
The star man against them on Tuesday though was Charles De Ketelaere, who scored the winning goal and put in a perfect cross for Gianluca Scamacca to level the game.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea are looking to develop a genuine buying relationship with the Serie A side, but keeping strong bonds with as many sides as possible is no doubt the right way for Eghbali and Todd Boehly to be going.
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