Chelsea get official green light over €50m wonderkid transfer

Updated: 26 Aug 2026 11:54 BST | 3 min read

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Chelsea have been given encouragement in their pursuit of Honest Ahanor, with Atalanta’s sporting director admitting the wonderkid could still be sold this summer.

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Ahanor has emerged as a target for Chelsea in recent days, with reports in Italy claiming that the Blues have already opened talks over a deal for the 18-year-old.

Current ETV

Honest Ahanor

D (CL)

Atalanta

Honest Ahanor

D (CL)

Atalanta

ETV Range

€21.4M - €26.2M

Atalanta are believed to value Ahanor at around €50 million, having only signed the defender for €16m last summer and with teams such as Brighton also interested in his signature.

Chelsea have already signed Marco Palestra from Atalanta this summer for €57m and Ahanor could follow in the full-back’s footsteps, having established himself as a standout young defender in Italy after making 22 Serie A appearances last season.

Atalanta sporting director Cristiano Guintoli was asked about Ahanor’s future this week and he admitted that, while no formal offers had been received, any proposals for the teenager would be considered.

“There's a lot of interest in some of our players, but we haven't received any offers yet, not even for Ahanor. If so, we'll evaluate it," Giuntoli explained. "We'll be very careful about what happens.”

Chelsea explore deal for Ahanor after breakout season

Ahanor impressed during his debut campaign with Atalanta and became a regular feature at left-back, left centre-back or in midfield.

© IMAGO - Honest Ahanor is wanted by Chelsea.

Having also played nine times in the Champions League last season, Ahanor made his debut for Italy in May this year after finally receiving citizenship upon turning 18.

Despite being born in Italy, Ahanor was previously only eligible to play for Nigeria, where his parents are from, due to Italian law dictating that children born to foreign parents cannot acquire citizenship until they turn 18 and have lived in the country continuously and legally.

Ahanor has since received two caps and could continue his development at Chelsea, although it is unclear whether the club’s BlueCo owners would look to integrate him into the first team immediately or if a move is even on the cards ahead of the 1 September transfer deadline.