Chelsea receive clear message amid talks to sign Italy defender

Atalanta have refused to rule out a transfer move for Honest Ahanor after Chelsea opened talks to sign the defender.

Ahanor left boyhood team Genoa to join Atalanta last summer and has gone on to make a name for himself as one of the brightest young talents in Italian football over the last 12 months.

The versatile 18-year-old made 35 appearances – including 18 starts – in all competitions across an encouraging debut season and will undoubtedly be looking to kick on again this term.

However, there has been speculation that Ahanor could be lured away from Bergamo before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with teams across Europe closely monitoring the teenager’s situation.

Brighton are known to be long-term admirers and have already seen an opening offer rejected for Ahanor, while Chelsea are the latest team to be credited with an interest in the highly rated youngster.

Reports emanating out of Italy earlier this week claimed Chelsea had begun preliminary discussions with both Atalanta and Ahanor’s camp with a view to thrashing out a late deal for the Italy international.

When directly asked about the rumours linking Ahanor with a move to Stamford Bridge, Atalanta’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli confirmed the club would ‘evaluate’ any proposals they received in the final few days of the window.

‘Right now, there’s a week to go,’ he said during Atalanta’s press conference to unveil summer arrival Eljif Elmas on Tuesday.

‘I won’t deny that we have some players who are attracting strong interest, but no offers have arrived.

‘We’ll evaluate them if they arrive.’

Pressed on potential additions at Atalanta, Giuntoli added: ‘We’re thinking about the team and our work. We’re always attentive. 

‘I don’t feel like talking about other players from other teams.

‘We’ll be very attentive to what happens.’

Ahanor has primarily been used as the left-sided defender in a back three, but can also play at left-back, in central midfield and on the wing.

The Aversa-born prospect is renowned for his pace, strength and athleticism and has already been capped twice by the Italian national team.

He has two years remaining on his current contract with Atalanta.

It’s not the first time that Chelsea and Atalanta have held talks this summer, with the two sides striking a £47m deal for Ahanor’s fellow countryman Marco Palestra to head to Stamford Bridge.

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 this summer.

Xabi Alonso got his Chelsea tenure off to a winning start in the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over London rivals Fulham on Monday night.

Joao Pedro put the visitors in front with a superb finish just 31 seconds into the contest, before Rogers and Cole Palmer also found the target at Craven Cottage.

Alonso’s men lock horns with Luton in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Thursday before returning to top-flight action at home to Brighton on Sunday.

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