EPL: Chelsea target 18-year-old Atalanta defender Ahanor

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Chelsea are in talks to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, with the Italian club prepared to sell the highly rated teenager if their €40m (£34.3m) valuation is met.

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According to BBC Sport on Thursday, the Blues first expressed an interest in the 18-year-old when they negotiated the signing of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra in July.

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Ahanor, who primarily operates at left-back, joined Atalanta from Genoa last summer for a reported €16m, with a further €4m potentially due in add-ons.

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He enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season in Bergamo, making 28 Serie A appearances and establishing himself as a regular starter despite his young age.

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The teenager also gained valuable European experience, making his Champions League debut in Atalanta’s 2-1 victory over Club Brugge in September.

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His progress has also attracted attention from the Italian national team. Ahanor was called up by Italy in May for friendly matches against Luxembourg and Greece.

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Chelsea’s interest fits into the club’s continued focus on recruiting young talent with significant long-term potential.

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Manager Xabi Alonso has been reshaping his squad since taking charge at Stamford Bridge in July, with Chelsea already making major additions to their ranks.

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England midfielder Morgan Rogers arrived from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m, while experienced Premier League players Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson have also joined the squad.

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Ahanor would represent a very different type of signing: an 18-year-old defender who has already demonstrated that he can compete at the highest level of Italian football.

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However, Chelsea will have to decide whether to meet Atalanta’s €40m asking price if they want to bring the teenager to Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Fulham on Monday and face Brighton at home on Sunday.

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For Ahanor, a move to London would represent the next major step in a rapid rise that has already taken him from Genoa to a regular role in Serie A and onto the international radar.

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