Chelsea supporters were starting to get frustrated with what they deemed a slow start to the summer transfer window from their club.
However, things are starting to heat up in the transfer market for the Blues, with incoming manager Xabi Alonso, who officially begins his job role at Cobham on July 1, right at the forefront. Alonso is said to have played an enormous role in securing his first signing as Chelsea boss with Marco Palestra expected to sign from Atalanta.
It looked as if the 21-year-old defender was set for a move to Italian champions Inter Milan, who had been speaking to Atalanta for a large portion of the summer transfer window, but in swooped the Blues at the last minute. Chelsea outbid Inter and it was then a case of agreeing personal terms with Palestra - something that was more of a formality than anything else.
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Chelsea will pay Atalanta a fee, sources say, in excess of £43million for Palestra to sign a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will recoup that sum - and then some - if they are able to sell a few players this summer, with numerous stars being strongly linked with an exit in the coming months.
Enzo Fernandez informed Chelsea last month that he wants to leave the club this summer, fully aware of the strong interest from Real Madrid. The Blues value the 25-year-old Argentina international at £120m and would only consider selling him if an offer in and around that figure arrives their way before the end of the transfer window.
There has been no formal approach from Los Blancos, who are said to be weighing up their options when it comes to bringing in a new central midfielder for Jose Mourinho. If an agreement between Chelsea and Madrid was to be struck, sources say personal terms between Fernandez and the Spanish club would be relatively smooth sailing.
This image has been digitally altered.) Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas
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Enzo Fernandez could leave Chelsea this summer(Image: Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Chelsea sources insist the club are aware of interest in Malo Gusto this summer. Enzo Maresca, who has agreed a deal to become Manchester City head coach, is understood to be keen on a reunion with the France international, who was a prominent part of the Italian's plans during their time together at Stamford Bridge.
Man City are just one of multiple big clubs interested in a deal for Gusto this summer. Chelsea are not actively looking to sell the 23-year-old right back but would consider an offer if it was around the £75m-mark. Unlike others in the squad, Gusto, who has been with Chelsea since signing for £31m from Lyon three-and-a-half years ago, is not considered an untouchable asset.
Malo Gusto
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Malo Gusto is available for sale this summer(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media)
Likewise with Trevoh Chalobah. As revealed on football.london earlier in the week, Chelsea will sell the Cobham graduate this summer if the price is right. Sources would not disclose what that price looks like, but the Blues will consider moving Chalobah on amid interest from Cesc Fabregas' high-flying Como and other top sides.
Marc Cucurella, of course, has already moved on from Chelsea. Real Madrid paid the Blues a £47.4m fixed fee (with £4.3m in potential add-ons) for the services of the Spain left back, who was keen on returning to his homeland after almost five years in England with Brighton and Chelsea, respectively.
If Chelsea are able to sell Gusto and Fernandez for the aforementioned prices, that is almost £200m in funds for the club to play with this summer. Add Cucurella's fee on top of that, and the west Londoners will be looking at something close to £250m.
Such money will come in handy in Chelsea's search for more incomings over the next few months. The Blues are prioritising adding a starting-level centre back to Alonso's squad in time for the Spaniard's debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace is an option for the Blues. The France international is on a long list of central defenders being considered by club officials this summer but no contact has been made - at the time of writing - with the Eagles or Lacroix's entourage, football.london understands.
Como centre back Jacobo Ramon is another target for Chelsea. The Blues considered making a move for the 21-year-old Spanish defender during the January transfer window but decided to wait instead. Ramon remains of interest to Chelsea, but like Lacroix, he is one of multiple names being considered this summer.