Photo by Emanuele Comincini/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Emanuele Comincini/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea are on the verge of completing a €40m deal for Atalanta’s Italy international Honest Ahanor this week. But who is the teenage defender closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge?
Amid all the noise regarding player sales, it appears Chelsea are set to make their first signing since a deal for Pep Chavarria was completed. While he has been linked before, reports came slightly out of nowhere.
Fabrizio Romano was the first to report Chelsea were signing Ahanor. On Wednesday, the Italian reporter gave an update, confirming Chelsea have agreed a €40m deal and will loan him to a Premier League club.
“Chelsea are in advanced talks over €40m deal for Honest Ahanor. Understand the agreement includes joining a Premier League club to develop and then join Chelsea. Honest has already said yes to Chelsea.”
Still only 18, Ahanor has already made waves in Italian football, both on and off the pitch. Below, we delve a little deeper into Ahanor’s first couple of seasons at the top level, and his “frightening” potential.
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Who is Honest Ahanor? Five facts on imminent Chelsea signing
Ahanor’s career so far in numbers: Italy caps, Atalanta breakthrough
Ahanor broke through Genoa’s academy before completing a move to Atalanta, worth around £15m. He only played six times for Genoa’s senior side, but it was enough to tempt Atalanta into a big-money deal.
Last season, he played 35 times in all competitions for Atalanta, even scoring once. That form has earned him two senior caps for Italy. Chelsea have a strong connection with Atalanta thanks to Marco Palestra.
Chelsea Pre-Season Tour to Indonesia
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Ahanor’s versatility and idolising Paolo Maldini
A left-footed defender, Ahanor has the build of a centre-back but the pace of a forward. It allows him to operate either as a centre-back in a four, the left of a back three, or even providing cover as a full-back.
Ahanor has even played as a left-sided wing-back on occasion, but his strengths are in defence. Ahanor is said to idolise Paolo Maldini, arguably the best-ever left-footed centre-back to ever play the game.
Why Ahanor caused political debate within Italy
In Italy, the rules are that a player cannot obtain Italian citizenship until 18 – even if born in Italy as Ahanor was, if they have foreign parents. He was raised in Genoa from one, but both of his parents are Nigerian.
FC Schalke 04 v Atalanta BC - Pre-Season Friendly
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It meant Ahanor was unable to represent Italy until he turned 18. But once he did, he was immediately called up to the U21 squad, and then he went a step further, earning two senior caps for Italy in 2026.
Ahanor’s case, being made to wait for citizenship until he was 18 despite being born in Italy and raised in the country, garnered nationwide attention. Ahanor’s case has seen the rule criticised by many in Italy.
Alberto Gilardino praise and rise through Genoa youth academy
Genoa’s scouts picked Ahanor up at just five years of age, Ahanor moved up through the ranks quickly. During 2023-24, Ahanor played for Genoa’s U17, U18 and U19 sides as Genoa realised his potential.
Alberto Gilardino handed him his senior Genoa debut at 16 before his move to Atalanta. The former Italy striker cited his “frightening mental composure for a boy of 16”, having given him his senior club debut.
Robert Sanchez's errors leading to goal
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The five-month knee injury that almost scuppered Atalanta move
The first-ever player to start a game in Serie A born in 2008, things could have quickly turned sour. The defender suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for five months, yet his return was seamless.
He came back during a game against Napoli, producing a man-of-the-match performance, ultimately convincing Atalanta to buy him. Now, Ahanor’s rapid rise looks set to take him to the Premier League.