चेल्सी ने 21 वर्षीय डिफेंडर को इंटर मिलान द्वारा दिए गए अनुबंध प्रस्ताव को दोगुना करके ट्रांसफर प्रक्रिया को अपने हाथ में ले लिया।

Chelsea are set to complete the £52million signing of Italy international Marco Palestra, talkSPORT understands.

The Blues have hijacked Inter Milan’s move for the Atalanta defender after offering a contract worth twice as much as the Serie A champion’s proposal.

Chelsea are set to complete the signing of Palestra after hijacking Inter’s dealGetty

Inter had been working to complete the signing of Palestra in a deal worth over £43million.

However, Chelsea have stolen a march and now expect to complete the deal in the next 24 hours.

The right-back has been identified by the club as an alternative to Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso due to his age.

Palestra is five years younger than his compatriot, with both players having three years remaining on their current deals.

Chelsea see him as a versatile option capable of playing at both right-back and left-back under Xabi Alonso.

talkSPORT understands that Palestra had also been offered to both Liverpool and Arsenal.

Who is Palestra?

The Chelsea target spent last season on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta.

During his time with the club, he scored one goal and added four assists from defence in 37 Serie A appearances.

Palestra has also won two caps for Italy, having made his senior debut in March.

He previously represented the national team between under-18 and under-21 level.

Palestra is expected to complete a £52million move to Chelsea in the next 24 hoursAFP

Meanwhile, Palestra was also part of the Atalanta side which won the Europa League in 2024.

Chelsea transfer latest

Chelsea’s move for Palestra comes as the club plan talks with Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix.

The France defender has emerged as a transfer target for new manager Alonso.

Palace are understood to need to sell this summer, with Lacroix one player attracting interest from elsewhere.

Chelsea have also identified Como’s Jacobo Ramon as another central defensive target.

They previously monitored the 21-year-old during the January transfer window.

Chelsea are set to open talks to sign Palace defender LacroixGetty

His side are already set to welcome four players to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha will all make their long-awaited arrivals ahead of next season.