Xabi Alonso forced to make new Chelsea transfer plan as deal collapses

14 Jul 2026 10:01 CDT | 5 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Inter Milan have pulled out of the race to sign Trevoh Chalobah after deeming Chelsea’s €41million (£35m) asking price to be too high, according to reports in Italy.

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Daily Mail reported in June that Chelsea were holding out for that figure after turning down a €25m (£22m) offer from Inter’s Serie A counterparts Como for Chalobah.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed earlier this month that Italian champions Inter were also running the rule over England international Chalobah, as well as Evan Ndicka of Roma.

STATS

Trevoh Chalobah

D (C)

Chelsea

Trevoh Chalobah

D (C)

Chelsea

47

Games
3

Goals
0

Assists

Academy graduate Chalobah made his Chelsea debut in the UEFA Super Cup final victory over Villarreal in 2021, and has gone on to make a further 150 appearances for the club.

However, Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport understands Inter have withdrawn their interest in Chalobah after failing to convince Chelsea to lower their price tag during negotiations.

Palestra agent rejects claims Inter had agreement before Chelsea

The news comes after Inter chairman Giuseppe Marotta criticised Marco Palestra for reneging on an alleged agreement to join the San Siro club before moving to Chelsea.

In quotes carried by GOAL, Marotta said: “We already had an agreement with Atalanta for Palestra. It’s not that we pulled out of an agreement, let’s say the player made a lifestyle choice.”

However, Palestra’s agent Alessandro Lucci has rejected Marotta’s claim that an agreement had been reached with Inter, telling Italian news agency ANSA: “I listened with great sadness and at the same time enormous shock at the words of Inter president Marotta, who I’ve had a professional rapport with for over 25 years, doing many deals together.

“The Inter directors, represented by Piero Ausilio, carried on constant and constructive talks with us on the opportunity to complete this transfer. However, the element that decided the outcome was not described accurately in today’s press conference. Over 45 days the two clubs, who were in daily contact, were never able to reach a definitive agreement.”

Chelsea announced the signing of Palestra on 1 July, with the highly-rated Italy international signing a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge after a €55m (£47m) fee was agreed with Atalanta.

We are delighted to announce the signing of Italian defender, Marco Palestra! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/nUGCFEBC8O
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 1, 2026

The west Londoners have also been busy regarding outgoings, with Marc Cucurella, Tyrique George and Andrey Santos having joined Real Madrid, Everton and Manchester United respectively.

Widespread reports understand Chelsea need to continue raising funds in order to back Xabi Alonso in the transfer market, with Chalobah one of several players who have been made available.

Work hard and smile, you're at Manchester United 🫶 pic.twitter.com/4w2CLskMMe
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 13, 2026

Alonso confirmed in his first press conference as Chelsea manager on Monday that Alejandro Garnacho is not part of his plans, amid speculation linking him with a move to Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma.

Chelsea announced a pre-tax loss (€306.2m/£262.4m) for the year ending June 30 2025 in April of this year - the largest ever recorded by a Premier League club.

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Read more about: Serie A Premier League Atalanta Chelsea Como Everton Inter Man Utd Real Madrid Roma Alejandro Garnacho Andrey Santos Evan Ndicka Marc Cucurella Marco Palestra Trevoh Chalobah Tyrique George