Chelsea are in talks to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, with the Italian club prepared to sell the highly rated teenager if their €40m (£34.3m) valuation is met.
According to BBC Sport on Thursday, the Blues first expressed an interest in the 18-year-old when they negotiated the signing of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra in July.
Ahanor, who primarily operates at left-back, joined Atalanta from Genoa last summer for a reported €16m, with a further €4m potentially due in add-ons.
He enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season in Bergamo, making 28 Serie A appearances and establishing himself as a regular starter despite his young age.
The teenager also gained valuable European experience, making his Champions League debut in Atalanta’s 2-1 victory over Club Brugge in September.
His progress has also attracted attention from the Italian national team. Ahanor was called up by Italy in May for friendly matches against Luxembourg and Greece.
Chelsea’s interest fits into the club’s continued focus on recruiting young talent with significant long-term potential.
Manager Xabi Alonso has been reshaping his squad since taking charge at Stamford Bridge in July, with Chelsea already making major additions to their ranks.
England midfielder Morgan Rogers arrived from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m, while experienced Premier League players Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson have also joined the squad.
Ahanor would represent a very different type of signing: an 18-year-old defender who has already demonstrated that he can compete at the highest level of Italian football.
However, Chelsea will have to decide whether to meet Atalanta’s €40m asking price if they want to bring the teenager to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Fulham on Monday and face Brighton at home on Sunday.
For Ahanor, a move to London would represent the next major step in a rapid rise that has already taken him from Genoa to a regular role in Serie A and onto the international radar.
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