Chelsea have opened initial talks to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, according to reports in Italy.
Ahanor, 18, left boyhood side Genoa to join Atalanta in a €16million (£13.7m) deal last summer, going on to make 35 appearances in all competitions for his new team last season.
In that time, Ahanor has further established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Serie A football, with the teenager playing a key role to help Atalanta finish eighth.
However, there has been mounting speculation that Ahanor could soon be set for the exit door in Bergamo, with clubs from across Europe keeping close tabs on his performances.
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Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Atalanta have already knocked back two offers from a pair of unnamed teams for Ahanor – and Chelsea are the latest side to step up their interest.
It’s claimed the Blues are in discussions with both Atalanta and Ahanor’s camp with a view to thrashing out a deal before the summer transfer deadline on September 1.
Brighton are also said to be admirers of Ahanor and have previously failed with bids to coax the versatile defender to the Premier League.
Although he has primarily been used as a the left-sided defender in a back three, Ahanor can also operate at left-back, in central midfield and as a winger.
The Aversa-born prospect is renowned for his speed and athleticism and has already been capped twice by the Italian national team.
Ahanor’s current contract with Atalanta, which he signed upon his arrival in Bergamo, runs through to June 2028.
Chelsea and Atalanta have already done business together this summer after shaking hands on a £47m agreement for Ahanor’s fellow countryman Marco Palestra.
The Blues have also added Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Geovany Quenda, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria, Emmanuel Emegha, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck to their first-team squad for Xabi Alonso’s debut season at the helm.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford is another player believed to be in Chelsea’s thoughts, with the west London giants reportedly considering a late move for the England attacker.
Alonso got his Chelsea reign off to a winning start in the Premier League with a 3-2 victory away to local neighbours Fulham on Monday night.
Joao Pedro put the visitors in front with a superb finish just 31 seconds into the contest, with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer also on target at Craven Cottage.
Alonso’s men face off against Luton in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening before returning to top-flight action at home to Brighton on Sunday.
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