Chelsea ‘open preliminary talks’ for Atalanta defender Ahanor | OneFootball

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Chelsea have begun preliminary discussions with Atalanta and the representatives of Italy international Honest Ahanor.

Atalanta rejected a €34m bid from Brighton earlier this summer, and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli stressed in July that they are unwilling to sell any of their best and most promising players, including Ahanor.

The 18-year-old joined Atalanta from Genoa in 2025 in a €16m deal.

He is comfortable at left wing-back or as a centre-back, particularly on the left of a back three.

Ahanor has 28 Serie A appearances and made his senior Italy debut in June under caretaker coach Silvio Baldini.

Giuntoli has just started his first season at Atalanta and has been joined in Bergamo by new coach Maurizio Sarri, the pair having previously worked together at Napoli. Chelsea and Atalanta have already done business this summer, with Marco Palestra moving to Stamford Bridge from the Gewiss Stadium for €60m.

Source: Football Italia

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