Chelsea signs Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47 million
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 1, 2026, 1:28 PM
Last updated Jul 1, 2026
Chelsea has announced the signing of 21-year-old right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta for approximately £47 million, including add-ons. Palestra, who has committed to a six-year contract with an option for another year, becomes the first signing under new manager Xabi Alonso. Previously, Palestra had been in negotiations to return to Inter Milan but Chelsea's superior offer and wage package led to the deal. He earned acclaim as Serie A's defender of the year during a loan spell at Cagliari last season. Chelsea continues to pursue additional signings, targeting a center-back and evaluating potential moves for midfielders and forwards.
- •Palestra makes first-team debut for Italy in World Cup playoffs
- •Chelsea moves ahead of Inter Milan's interest
- •Club prioritizes center-back signings next
- •Chelsea has agreements for several other players
- •Palestra was named Serie A's defender of the year
- 1:38 PMYahoo Sports — Palestra 'excited' to join 'one of the best clubs in the world' - have your say
- 1:32 PMYahoo Sports — Chelsea sign Italy defender Palestra for £47m
- 1:28 PMBBC Sport — Chelsea sign Italy defender Palestra for £47m
"New Chelsea signing Marco Palestra says incoming head coach Xabi Alonso speaking to him "about how he wants us to play" helped him choose the Blues as his next destination. Right-back Palestra arrives from Atalanta for a fee of about £47m, including add-ons, off the back of an impressive season on loan at Cagliari where he was named Serie A defender of the year. The 21-year-old has signed a six-year deal, with the option of a further year, and becomes the first arrival since Alonso's appointment.
"Right-back Marco Palestra, 21, becomes Xabi Alonso's first signing as Chelsea manager.
"Right-back Marco Palestra, 21, becomes Xabi Alonso's first signing as Chelsea manager.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 1:38 PMPalestra 'excited' to join 'one of the best clubs in the world' - have your say
New Chelsea signing Marco Palestra says incoming head coach Xabi Alonso speaking to him "about how he wants us to play" helped him choose the Blues as his next destination. Right-back Palestra arrives from Atalanta for a fee of about £47m, including add-ons, off the back of an impressive season on loan at Cagliari where he was named Serie A defender of the year. The 21-year-old has signed a six-year deal, with the option of a further year, and becomes the first arrival since Alonso's appointment.
- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 1:32 PMChelsea sign Italy defender Palestra for £47m
Right-back Marco Palestra, 21, becomes Xabi Alonso's first signing as Chelsea manager.
- BBC SportJul 1, 2026, 1:28 PMChelsea sign Italy defender Palestra for £47m
Right-back Marco Palestra, 21, becomes Xabi Alonso's first signing as Chelsea manager.
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