​Chelsea have signed Italy full back Marco Palestra from Atalanta to bolster a squad reshaping under manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso, who impressed in a record-setting spell with Bayer Leverkusen from 2022 to 2025, favored a three-man back line with wing backs, a system that appears to suit the 21-year-old Palestra, a versatile defender capable of playing on either flank and mainly as a wing back. The transfer fee is reported at 43 million pounds ($57 million) by Sky Sports. Chelsea had already moved on from left back Marc Cucurella, selling him for about 60 million euros ($70 million) as part of a broader effort to ease the club’s fragile financial position. The club also faces scrutiny from UEFA, which on Tuesday urged Chelsea to significantly reduce squad costs after alleged repeated breaches of financial monitoring rules. Chelsea is expected to endure a substantial revenue decline next season due to missing qualification for the Champions League and any European competition.
Palestra, though young, arrives with notable pedigree. He signed a seven-year contract—long-term deals are common under Chelsea’s American ownership—after delivering an outstanding season on loan at Cagliari, where he was named Serie A’s Defender of the Year. The Serie A website highlighted Palestra as the fastest sprinter in the league and the top defender across Europe’s top five leagues in completed dribbles; he also scored one goal and contributed four assists. “I’ve felt the energy since the first day Chelsea wanted me,” he said. “I can’t wait to start, to meet all the fans, my teammates and the manager. We have so many talented players here, a very strong squad and a manager in Xabi. He has explained how he wants us to play, which is exciting, and we can’t wait to compete in the Premier League.” This year he earned his first Italy cap, bringing his total to two.
Atalanta, owned by the U.S., may have needed to cash in on Palestra to bolster finances after finishing seventh in Serie A and failing to qualify for Europe.