Exclusive: Chelsea to sign Marco Palestra within next 24 hours as agreement close | OneFootball

Italy international is attracting plenty of interest after a standout season

Chelsea are set to complete the signing of Marco Palestra within the next 24 hours.

Standard Sport understands Chelsea have moved quickly in the last 24 hours and are now expected to complete the signing of the Atalanta right-back.

Palestra impressed this season on loan at Cagliari and can play at right wing-back as well as right-back. Chelsea are understood to appreciate his ability to also play on the left as required.

A number of European clubs were keen on Palestra, but Inter Milan, previously frontrunners, could not match Chelsea’s offer and the player became keener on the offer to join the west London club.

Chelsea moved at real pace in the last 24 hours and strengthened their interest by approaching Atalanta after speaking with the player’s representatives.

The deal now requires an agreement on personal terms on the player’s side, but Palestra is understood to be willing to fall in line with their wage structure.

Marco Palestra

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Standard Sport reported earlier on Monday that the Blues also have genuine interest in the Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

Lacroix features on a list of Chelsea centre-back targets that also includes Como’s Jacobo Ramon. The latter was also of interest in the January window.

Chelsea are expected to sign multiple signings this summer, at least two of which are expected to be top players able to slot straight into the starting XI ahead of Xabi Alonso’s first season in charge.

They have already lost a senior player this summer with Marc Cucurella returning to Spain and joining Real Madrid after his participation at the World Cup.

Serie A side Como, meanwhile, are monitoring Trevoh Chalobah’s situation.

Chalobah was the Blues’ most consistent central defender last season but Chelsea are open to selling him for the right price this summer.