Chelsea don enter preliminary talk with Atalanta for 18-year-old defender, Honest Ahanor, before the summer transfer window close. According to report from Italy, the Blues dey find way to bring the young Italian star to Stamford Bridge.
Ahanor, wey bin play for Genoa before, join Atalanta last summer for 16 million euros, wey be about 13.7 million pounds. He don bin make 35 appearances for Atalanta last season, and e show say e be one of the brightest young talent for Serie A. The teenager play key role for Atalanta to finish eighth for league.
The English newspaper Metro, wey quote La Gazzetta dello Sport, say Atalanta don already turn down two offers from two clubs wey dem no mention name. Chelsea now be the latest side wey show interest. Dem dey hold talk with both Atalanta and Ahanor’s representatives, hoping for agreement before the deadline on 1 September.
Ahanor na versatile player. Dem don use am as defender for left side of back three, but e fit also play left-back, midfield, and winger. Born for Aversa, e dey known for speed and strong body. E don already win two caps for Italy.
E don sign contract wey go run until June 2028. The deal e sign wen e reach Bergamo.
But make we no forget how e start. Ahanor make e Serie A debut for Genoa at just 16 years old, against Juventus. Alberto Gilardino throw am straight into action. E go on to make six league appearances for Genoa, wey be enough to convince Atalanta to pay £14.5 million for am.
During e first full season for senior football, e make 22 league appearances for Atalanta, covering for Bernasconi. E still get plenty room to improve, but the potential na really big.
For Italy side, after the play-off failure, interim boss Baldini show appreciation by giving am two appearances for friendly matches.
Now, the question na wetin go happen with the 18-year-old this season. Bernasconi don prove e self well well, even though many people no expect am. But according to reports, Chelsea don already sign Marco Palestra from Atalanta for the opposite flank.
If Xabi Alonso see Reece James as midfielder and rotate Palestra with Gusto or Neto for right wing-back, that side dey well covered. But left side? Jorrel Hato go get chances, but e no really natural fit for the position. Pep Chavarria, wey come from Vallecano, don make big step up and still need to prove e fit handle Chelsea demands. E no be long-term talent bet, but immediate solution.
That one na why interest for Honest Ahanor dey strong. If Chelsea sign am, e fit be say dem go send am on loan to get experience. But the question na how much Chelsea go ready to pay. Atalanta no go let am go for pocket change. Dem don turn down two offers already, with Brighton among names wey dey mentioned.
According to report, solving this position for long term with £34 million player no be priority for Chelsea right now. And from Sanchez performance for opening round, e clear say Chelsea priority dey somewhere else.
