Chelsea Swoops for Atalanta's Marco Palestra in €60 Million Deal

In a dramatic transfer twist, Chelsea has hijacked Inter Milan's pursuit of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, securing a deal worth over €55 million, with total bonuses pushing the package to around €60 million. The 21-year-old Italian defender had been on the verge of joining Inter, with personal terms and a club-to-club agreement nearly finalized. However, Chelsea's late intervention, offering a five-year contract worth approximately €5 million per season plus bonuses (nearly €6 million annually), proved decisive. Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi, who has strong ties to Chelsea from his playing days, was instrumental in facilitating the deal.

Palestra had initially prioritized remaining in Italy to play in the Champions League, but the financial superiority of Chelsea's offer—reportedly doubling the €2.5 million annual salary Inter had proposed—convinced him to move to London. Chelsea's bid includes a fixed fee of €55 million, with performance-related add-ons, surpassing Inter's offer of around €50-52 million including bonuses. The English club is currently not qualified for European competition next season, but that factor was outweighed by the project and wages on offer.

Negotiations reached a climax on June 23, 2026, with Inter sporting director Beppe Marotta meeting agent Alessandro Lucci throughout the day, expecting a final announcement on June 24. Instead, Chelsea's sudden involvement upended the process. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea has closed all agreements with Atalanta and is now awaiting Palestra's final approval to proceed with medical tests and contract signing. Inter also remains in the background awaiting a definitive answer from the player and his representatives.

The move marks a significant coup for Chelsea, who have secured one of Serie A's most promising young full-backs. Palestra, who has made 46 Serie A appearances and five European outings for Atalanta, is expected to join the Blues' squad for pre-season training. All parties anticipate a swift conclusion to the transfer, with the player's decision expected imminently.