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Chelsea secures Serie A Defender of the Year Marco Palestra from Inter Milan

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 24, 2026, 8:30 AM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

Chelsea secures Serie A Defender of the Year Marco Palestra from Inter Milan

Summary

Chelsea is poised to sign 21-year-old Marco Palestra from Atalanta for over £43 million, having outmaneuvered Inter Milan, who were in advanced negotiations with the defender. Palestra's strong season on loan at Cagliari earned him the Serie A Defender of the Year award. Chelsea, needing a replacement after Marc Cucurella's departure, identified Palestra as a key player for Xabi Alonso’s rebuilding efforts. Meanwhile, Manchester City, who also sought Palestra as a right-back option, must now redirect their transfer strategy as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Marco Palestra is set to join Chelsea from Atalanta this summer.
•Chelsea will pay over £43 million for the defender.
•Palestra won Serie A Defender of the Year while on loan at Cagliari.
•Manchester City will seek alternate right-back options after missing out on Palestra.
•Manchester City is also managing interest in Rúben Dias and contract negotiations for Rodri.

Latest Updates

8:30 AMYahoo Sports — Chelsea beat Manchester City in race to sign Serie A Defender of the Year

What they're saying

"
Chelsea have moved at extraordinary pace to hijack Inter Milan’s advanced negotiations for Serie A’s breakout defensive sensation Marco Palestra.The 21-year-old full-back has been earmarked to pla...
— Yahoo Sports

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