Chelsea transfer news: The Blues look to hijack Inter’s move for Serie A starlet
Chelsea transfer news: The transfer window is doing what it does best. Chaos. Chelsea are trying to muscle their way into Inter Milan‘s pursuit of Atalanta fullback Marco Palestra. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Stamford Bridge officials have aggressively entered the race for the 21-year-old Italy international. They aren’t alone either; another unnamed Premier League side is lurking.
Inter have already laid their cards on the table. They offered €45 million upfront plus €5 million in add-ons. Close, but no cigar. Atalanta are holding out for a flat €50 million. No compromises. No complex structures. Just cold, hard cash.
Palestra is a serious talent. He spent last season on loan at Cagliari, putting in a shift every week. It paid off. He walked away with the Serie A Defender of the Year award. While Inter are desperately trying to tie up personal terms with the player’s agent, Alessandro Lucci, the English money is about to throw a massive spanner in the works.
Why does Xabi Alonso need this deal done?
Todd Boehly needs to get his chequebook out. Simple as that. New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso needs backing, and Palestra is a perfect option. Look at the current squad. Reece James cannot stay fit. It’s a tragedy, but it’s a fact. Malo Gusto is brilliant, but he can’t carry the right flank alone. He needs genuine competition to keep him sharp.
Alonso wants to play his fluid 3-4-2-1 system. It’s the exact shape that tore the Bundesliga apart with Bayer Leverkusen. To make it work, you need elite wing-backs. Players who can sprint for 90 minutes, lock down a winger, and then overlap into the penalty box. Palestra does all of that in his sleep. Paying €50 million upfront for a tactical weapon like this is a no-brainer.
Chelsea should just blow Inter out of the water. Offer €55 million. Inter can’t match it. Their owners, Oaktree, have them on a tight financial leash. The Italians are relying on selling Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid for €20 million just to fund their own summer budget. Chelsea must exploit that liquidity bottleneck right now.
Read: Latest turn of events regarding £120m Chelsea star’s move to Real Madrid
Yes, Stamford Bridge can’t offer Champions League football next season. That hurts. To get around it, you pay a premium. Offer the lad a massive wage increase to change his mind about staying in Italy. It prevents a continental rival from getting stronger, and it gives Alonso a vital piece of his puzzle before pre-season training kicks off.
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