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Alonso’s First Signing: Chelsea Pays €55 Million for Palestra

7/1/2026

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Summary

Chelsea Signs Palestra

Chelsea FC signed Italian defender Marco Palestra from Atalanta for €55 million (£43 million, €60 million and up to £47 million ($62 million)), the first signing of Xabi Alonso.
He played 37 Serie A games for Cagliari, earned 2025-26 Serie A Defender of the Year award and two Italy caps in March.
Chelsea view him as a wing-back who can operate on both flanks, adding defensive depth after Marc Cucurella’s €60 million move to Real Madrid.

Summary

Chelsea Targets Lacroix

Chelsea target Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix as a key defensive signing.
Chelsea rejected Sunderland’s £8 million offer for Granit Xhaka and raised Palestra’s salary offer.
Chelsea also plan signings of striker Emmanuel Emegha, winger Geovany Quenda and midfielder Valentin Barco.
After finishing 10th last season, Chelsea are overhauling the squad ahead of the new campaign.

History

Historical Context

In July 2003 Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea for £140 million, clearing debt and beginning a £2 billion player-spending era that delivered multiple league titles in the Premier League and European trophies. The club’s recent pursuit of defenders Marco Palestra (€55 million) and Maxence Lacroix mirrors that early-2000s strategy of heavy investment to stay title-contenders while navigating UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.

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Chelsea Signs Palestra

Chelsea FC signed Italian defender Marco Palestra from Atalanta for €55 million (£43 million, €60 million and up to £47 million ($62 million)), the first signing of Xabi Alonso.
He played 37 Serie A games for Cagliari, earned 2025-26 Serie A Defender of the Year award and two Italy caps in March.
Chelsea view him as a wing-back who can operate on both flanks, adding defensive depth after Marc Cucurella’s €60 million move to Real Madrid.

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