Atalanta’s Marco Palestra is on his way to complete a move to Chelsea this summer.
The Premier League side have successfully overtaken Inter Milan to sign the right-back.
Cristian Chivu’s side worked on the transfer for weeks before Chelsea took the lead by offering better terms to Atalanta and Palestra.
The Serie A winners offered €45m to La Dea and a €2.5m per year salary for the fullback.
On Wednesday, Sport Witness covered claims from Italy that he has accepted the Blues’ €5m plus bonuses deal. The west London club are also offering Atalanta €60m including bonuses.
Chelsea sorting out details
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio now claims the 21-year-old is unlikely to travel on Thursday to join Chelsea.
Marco Palestra is ready to move to England, where Xabi Alonso is waiting for him. He has to wait for the two clubs to sort out the last details.
The English club and Atalanta are finalising the paperwork related to the operation. The legal teams are drafting the contract that will see La Dea collect €57m plus €3m as potential bonuses. The latter will also retain a 10% sell-on clause.
Therefore, Chelsea haven’t scheduled his medical yet. He is waiting to receive the green light for the trip to London.
Director convinced Chelsea right step
On Wednesday, Corriere dello Sport editor Ivan Zazzaroni said the player has picked the Blues over Inter Milan for money.
Last season, Marco Palestra was on loan at Cagliari. He played 3,085 minutes from 37 matches, even managing a goal and four assists.
TuttoMercatoWeb spoke to Cagliari sporting director Guido Angelozzi on his impending move to Chelsea.
“I was convinced he would go to the Premier League. They followed Marco and saw that he’s a player suited to the English league. The only club in Italy that could have signed him was Inter, but evidently at a certain point they went over budget,” he said.
TMW ask whether Palestra has qualities that will suit the Premier League.
“Absolutely. He’s a world-class player in his position,” Angelozzi explained.
On Inter Milan missing out on the Italian, he added: “Yes. But obviously they couldn’t reach those figures.”