Chelsea F.C. are closing in on the signing of Marco Palestra from Atalanta BC, with the young defender scheduled to undergo a medical in London on Friday ahead of the completion of the transfer.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano on June 25, 2026, Chelsea, Atalanta and the player’s representatives have reached a full agreement, with only the final formalities remaining before the deal is officially announced.
Palestra is expected to sign a long-term contract running until June 2032, with an option to extend the agreement by a further year until 2033. The deal aligns with Chelsea’s strategy of investing in highly rated young talents on lengthy contracts.
The defender has earned recognition for his technical quality, tactical intelligence and versatility during his development at Atalanta. Chelsea reportedly view him as a player with significant potential who can develop into a senior squad member over time.
Romano stated that the transfer paperwork has already been completed, leaving the medical examination and final signing process as the remaining steps before the move becomes official.
