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Chelsea are currently close to signing Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
The 21-year-old right-back was on loan at Cagliari last season and impressed the Italian club with regular performances. He scored one goal and provided four assists in Serie A.
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Chelsea have had their eye on Marco Palestra for some time
Former Cagliari sporting director Guido Angelozzi says Chelsea have been tracking the talented young defender for some time and have made continuous inquiries about the player over the past year.
“Chelsea and Manchester City were following him for a year. They were always at the stadium, at Cagliari and away,” he told Sports Media Set.
“They kept calling me. They wanted to know everything. Obviously, they already had all the data, but they were looking for information about the boy’s character and qualities.”
The Palestra is highly regarded across Europe and could be a quality long-term investment for Chelsea. They have Reece James and Maro Gusto at their disposal, although Gusto is rumored to be leaving the club this summer.
The arrival of the Italian defender will certainly push the French player down the pecking order. It appears to be only a matter of time before the defender leaves the club. He has been linked with Manchester City in recent weeks. He is expected to reunite with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
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Palestra could be an asset to the Blues
Meanwhile, Palestra is hoping to establish himself as a key player for Chelsea in the coming seasons. It remains to be seen whether he can compete with James to keep him out of the starting lineup.
Regular first-team football is crucial for his development. The young defender will not want to sit on the bench at Chelsea. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to provide him with the opportunities he needs and help him reach his potential.
According to reports, Chelsea are expected to pay around £43 million to finalize the deal. It remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old can justify the investment in his future.
