Cagliari · UEFA U19 Championship - Qualification · Midfielder · #2 · Italy · 20 yrs
It's not just about keeping players happy - Chelsea must also sell players to keep the books balanced. The £117m fee represents a substantial outlay on top of the £47m spent to sign full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta, as well as the potential arrivals of defenders Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano and Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. In addition, midfielder Valentin Barco is expected to join from Strasbourg, though Chelsea have yet to confirm the deal.
Obviously the Premier League is definitely not Serie A, but he has qualities that can translate. Paul: Palestra is another youngster - where is the experienced players we need so badly, those who have played in the Premier League? Mike: Palestra is a decent signing for sure.
20-year-old centre-back moves to Anfield from RennesItaly right-back signs seven-year deal at BluesJérémy Jacquet has officially completed his £60m move to Liverpool from Rennes, while Chelsea have announced the £47m signing of the Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra.Liverpool beat Chelsea and Bayern Munich to the signature of the highly rated France Under-21 centre-half in January and on Wednesday confirmed the transfer has been completed subject to international clearance. The 20-year-old has cost an initial £55m with £5m payable in add-ons, and has signed a five-year contract with the option of an extra year. Continue reading...
Chelsea are now prioritising a move for a centre-back, with Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix expected to be their primary target, with a move for Rayo Vallecano full-back Pep Chavarria also in discussion. Sunderland have also rejected an £8m bid from Chelsea for their captain Granit Xhaka, who played under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. The move marks a rapid rise for Palestra, who has progressed from Italy's third tier with Atalanta's under-23 side to Chelsea in the space of three years.
New Chelsea signing Marco Palestra says incoming head coach Xabi Alonso speaking to him "about how he wants us to play" helped him choose the Blues as his next destination. Right-back Palestra arrives from Atalanta for a fee of about £47m, including add-ons, off the back of an impressive season on loan at Cagliari where he was named Serie A defender of the year. The 21-year-old has signed a six-year deal, with the option of a further year, and becomes the first arrival since Alonso's appointment.
