Chelsea open transfer talks to sign Italy defender

Xabi Alonso’ Chelsea are not finished in the summer transfer market (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have opened initial talks to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, according to reports in Italy.

Ahanor, 18, left boyhood side Genoa to join Atalanta in a €16million (£13.7m) deal last summer, going on to make 35 appearances in all competitions for his new team last season.

In that time, Ahanor has further established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Serie A football, with the teenager playing a key role to help Atalanta finish eighth.

However, there has been mounting speculation that Ahanor could soon be set for the exit door in Bergamo, with clubs from across Europe keeping close tabs on his performances.

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Atalanta have already knocked back two offers from a pair of unnamed teams for Ahanor – and Chelsea are the latest side to step up their interest.

It’s claimed the Blues are in discussions with both Atalanta and Ahanor’s camp with a view to thrashing out a deal before the summer transfer deadline on September 1.

Brighton are also said to be admirers of Ahanor and have previously failed with bids to coax the versatile defender to the Premier League.

Ahanor is considered one of Italy’s brightest young talents (Picture: Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock)

Chelsea are in talks with the teenager’s camp (Picture: Orange Pictures/Shutterstock)

Although he has primarily been used as a the left-sided defender in a back three, Ahanor can also operate at left-back, in central midfield and as a winger.

The Aversa-born prospect is renowned for his speed and athleticism and has already been capped twice by the Italian national team.

Ahanor’s current contract with Atalanta, which he signed upon his arrival in Bergamo, runs through to June 2028.

Brighton are also admirers of the Italy defender (Picture: Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock)

Chelsea and Atalanta have already done business together this summer after shaking hands on a £47m agreement for Ahanor’s fellow countryman Marco Palestra.

The Blues have also added Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Geovany Quenda, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria, Emmanuel Emegha, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck to their first-team squad for Xabi Alonso’s debut season at the helm.