FOOTBALL
By Eishna Rawat
Posted on June 25, 2026 8:00 pm | Updated on June 25, 2026 7:12 pm Chelsea have hijacked Inter Milan’s move to sign Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for £43m.
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Marco Palestra is set to swap Serie A for the Premier League. The 21-year-old Italy international has agreed to join Chelsea. The latest transfer news confirms that Chelsea hijacked what looked like a done deal for Inter Milan. It is a big moment for the west London club.
Marco Palestra Chooses Chelsea Over Inter Milan
It looked like a done deal for Inter. Marco Palestra had shone on loan at Cagliari last season. Talks were well advanced. Personal terms had been presented. Then Chelsea made their move.
As reported by BBC Sport, the Premier League club emerged as his preferred destination after 24 hours of talks. Inter simply could not match the offer on personal terms. The fee is in excess of £43m. The move also carries the approval of incoming manager Xabi Alonso. It is an early sign of his influence, even before he formally starts on 1 July.
Chelsea appointed Alonso as manager rather than head coach. That gives him a broader say in transfers. He has stayed in close contact with the hierarchy throughout this process. Marco Palestra looks to be exactly the profile he wanted to bring in first.
Why Marco Palestra Attracted So Much Interest?
It helps to understand why this race got so competitive. Marco Palestra spent last season on loan at Cagliari, and he impressed throughout the season. As reported by Footballtalk, he made 37 Serie A appearances and contributed five goal involvements. He also won 248 duels, the highest tally of any player linked with Stamford Bridge this summer.
Marco Palestra for Cagliari in 2025/26, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Matches Goals Assists Successful Dribbles Defensive Contributions
Serie A 37 1 4 70 120
The Lega Serie A named him the best defender in the Italian top flight. He earned his first senior Italy cap in March, too. As reported by Yahoo Sports, Italian football writer James Horncastle called him a revelation. Horncastle pointed to his pace and physicality as his most standout qualities.
His versatility is a big draw as well. He is comfortable on either foot and spent most of last season as a right wing-back for Cagliari. He is seen at Stamford Bridge as capable of playing on either flank and can operate as a wing-back or a conventional full-back. That kind of flexibility is exactly what Alonso needs.
What Comes Next for the Blues This Summer?
Marco Palestra is the first piece of a bigger rebuild. The west London club finished tenth in the Premier League last season. They missed out on European football entirely. It was a poor return for a squad of that size and cost.
As reported by Football Italia, the defender is expected to travel to London soon for his medical. Atalanta will retain a sell-on clause as part of the agreement. According to Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement is in place with all parties. A long-term contract is confirmed.
More business is moving quickly. As reported by BBC Sport, a deal for Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco is close. A versatile attacker is also on the list. Moves for winger Geovany Quenda and striker Emmanuel Emegha, both agreed last year, will be wrapped up this window too.
Departures are coming as well. Marc Cucurella has already moved to Real Madrid. More exits will follow as Alonso reshapes the squad. The arrival of Marco Palestra sets the tone. This is a summer where the Blues are serious about getting back into Europe and the club are wasting no time in making it happen.
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Eishna Rawat
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