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Feature
- 26 minutes ago
Chelsea 'ever present' in transfer for €60m breakout wonderkid
Suraj Radia
- 17 Dec 2025 11:06 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea are battling Manchester City to sign another of Europe’s top wonderkids who could command a €60 million fee despite being just 17 years old.
The Blues are already going head-to-head with City to sign Bayern Munich youngster Cassiano Kiala, whose father travelled to England last week to hold talks with both clubs.
And the duo look set to lock horns for another standout teenage defender in Honest Ahanor, who has emerged as a breakout star for Atalanta this season, having briefly also played against Chelsea in the Champions League last month.
Current ETV
Honest Ahanor
D (CL)
Atalanta
Honest Ahanor
D (CL)
Atalanta
ETV Range
€22.9M - €27.9M
Ahanor only joined Atalanta this summer for €20m from Genoa and the Italian-born defender has started six times in Serie A already, attracting the attention of Europe’s top sides.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea have been keen on Ahanor for a number of years after first spotting him in Genoa’s academy and they are said to be ‘ever present’ in scouting the teenager, along with City.
The likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also thought to be interested in Ahanor, with Atalanta likely to consider offers to triple their money next summer with a €60m approach.
Ahanor attracting attention both on and off the pitch with Italian controversy
Ahanor is believed to be happy at Atalanta and his contract doesn’t expire until 2028, while he won’t be able to move to a Premier League club until next summer after he turns 18 in February.
Although he is largely considered a left-back, Ahanor has featured as a centre-back for Atalanta this season but he is also capable of playing in midfield, with his versatility among the traits that have attracted scouts.
Ahanor has also sparked a political debate in Italy since he is not yet eligible for Italian citizenship despite being born in the country due to his parents being from Nigeria, meaning he has yet to be capped at international level at any stage.
Italian law dictates that children born in Italy to foreign parents cannot automatically acquire citizenship and can only apply after they turn 18, prompting questions over the country’s pathway to being nationalised for second-generation immigrants.
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