Chelsea appear to have won the race to sign Atalanta wing-back Marco Palestra, with Football Italia reporting the 21-year-old has agreed to join the Blues.
The move hijacks what looked like a done deal for Inter Milan, after Chelsea offered more than double their wage proposal to convince Palestra to choose the Premier League over Serie A.
Atalanta are understood to be seeking a fee in the region of £45-55m for the Italian, who impressed on loan at Cagliari last season.
Palestra would become Xabi Alonso’s first signing since taking charge at Stamford Bridge.
