2 months ago
Chelsea signed Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor in a deal worth a reported £40 million ($54 million) on Tuesday, but the teenager will spend this season on loan at Crystal Palace.
Ahanor, 18, will swap Serie A for south London during his temporary spell at Palace before joining Chelsea officially in 2027.
He made 22 league appearances for Atalanta last season having moved from Genoa a year ago, making his debut for Italy in a friendly against Luxembourg in June.
The move to UEFA Conference League winners Palace will mean the teenager will get Premier League experience as cover for Chadi Riad, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament against Everton.
"I'm very happy to be here and to be a part of this great family," Ahanor told Palace's website.
#atalanta #tuesday
Ahanor, 18, will swap Serie A for south London during his temporary spell at Palace before joining Chelsea officially in 2027.
He made 22 league appearances for Atalanta last season having moved from Genoa a year ago, making his debut for Italy in a friendly against Luxembourg in June.
The move to UEFA Conference League winners Palace will mean the teenager will get Premier League experience as cover for Chadi Riad, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament against Everton.
"I'm very happy to be here and to be a part of this great family," Ahanor told Palace's website.
#atalanta #tuesday
2 months ago
Chelsea are in talks to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor.
The Blues expressed an interest in the 18-year-old Italian when they signed right-back Marco Palestra from the Serie A side in July.
BBC Sport has been told Atalanta are willing to sell Ahanor if their 40m euro (£34.3m) valuation is met.
Ahanor, who mainly plays at left-back, joined Atalanta from Genoa on a three-year deal last summer for a reported fee of 16m euros, plus 4m euros in add-ons.
He made 28 appearances in Serie A for Atalanta last season, establishing himself as a regular starter for the Italian club. He also made his Champions League debut in a 2-1 win against Club Brugge in September.
#ahanor #italian #serie #euros
The Blues expressed an interest in the 18-year-old Italian when they signed right-back Marco Palestra from the Serie A side in July.
BBC Sport has been told Atalanta are willing to sell Ahanor if their 40m euro (£34.3m) valuation is met.
Ahanor, who mainly plays at left-back, joined Atalanta from Genoa on a three-year deal last summer for a reported fee of 16m euros, plus 4m euros in add-ons.
He made 28 appearances in Serie A for Atalanta last season, establishing himself as a regular starter for the Italian club. He also made his Champions League debut in a 2-1 win against Club Brugge in September.
#ahanor #italian #serie #euros
2 months ago
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Chelsea have opened preliminary talks with Atalanta and the entourage of Italy international Honest Ahanor.
Chelsea are interested in Atalanta defender Ahanor, and according to Gazzetta, the Blues have opened preliminary talks with both the Serie A club and the player's agents.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus is challenged by Honest Ahanor of Atalanta during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Atalanta already rejected a €34m offer from Brighton earlier this summer, and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli reiterated in July that they are unwilling to sell any of their best and most promising players, including Ahanor.
The 18-year-old defender joined Atalanta from Genoa in a €16m deal in 2025.
#atalanta
Chelsea are interested in Atalanta defender Ahanor, and according to Gazzetta, the Blues have opened preliminary talks with both the Serie A club and the player's agents.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus is challenged by Honest Ahanor of Atalanta during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Atalanta already rejected a €34m offer from Brighton earlier this summer, and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli reiterated in July that they are unwilling to sell any of their best and most promising players, including Ahanor.
The 18-year-old defender joined Atalanta from Genoa in a €16m deal in 2025.
#atalanta
2 months ago
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues are eyeing the 18-year-old as one for the future, and it remains unclear how willing they are to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea target caught the eye in Serie A playing as a centre-half and a left-wing-back.
Ahanor won 55 percent of his aerial and 62% of his ground duels last season while helping to keep four clean sheets in 22 league appearances.
Interestingly, the Italian club has already rejected two offers for his services, and it remains to be seen whether Chelsea can convince them to part ways.
#ahanor
The Blues are eyeing the 18-year-old as one for the future, and it remains unclear how willing they are to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea target caught the eye in Serie A playing as a centre-half and a left-wing-back.
Ahanor won 55 percent of his aerial and 62% of his ground duels last season while helping to keep four clean sheets in 22 league appearances.
Interestingly, the Italian club has already rejected two offers for his services, and it remains to be seen whether Chelsea can convince them to part ways.
#ahanor
4 months ago
Reports in the UK claim that Brighton & Hove Albion have submitted a bid in the region of €34m (£30m) for teenage Italy and Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, just one year after he joined La Dea from Genoa.
Following reports of initial interest from Brighton earlier this week, transfer experts Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook report that the Premier League outfit has submitted a bid in the region of €34m (£30m).
This would be an immediate turn of profit for Atalanta, who spent €20m to bring Ahanor to Bergamo from Genoa last summer. That deal made Ahanor the second-most expensive Italian 17-year-old in the history of the sport.
Now 18 years of age and with 41 competitive appearances to his name at senior level, including nine in the Champions League, Ahanor is beginning to attract interest from clubs outside of Serie A.
Ahanor was recently handed his first caps for the Italy national team during the interim reign of Silvio Baldini, who took a squad consisting almost entirely of U21 players for a pair of international friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece earlier this month.
Following reports of initial interest from Brighton earlier this week, transfer experts Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook report that the Premier League outfit has submitted a bid in the region of €34m (£30m).
This would be an immediate turn of profit for Atalanta, who spent €20m to bring Ahanor to Bergamo from Genoa last summer. That deal made Ahanor the second-most expensive Italian 17-year-old in the history of the sport.
Now 18 years of age and with 41 competitive appearances to his name at senior level, including nine in the Champions League, Ahanor is beginning to attract interest from clubs outside of Serie A.
Ahanor was recently handed his first caps for the Italy national team during the interim reign of Silvio Baldini, who took a squad consisting almost entirely of U21 players for a pair of international friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece earlier this month.
