Palestra signs, £47m to Atalanta
Marco Palestra is a Chelsea player. The Italian right-back joins from Atalanta for an initial £47m, with the deal confirmed on Tuesday (1) (5). Palestra was named Serie A's best defender last season and Inter Milan and Cagliari both wanted him (1). He is Xabi Alonso's first defensive signing.
€12m bid for Chavarria, Rayo want €20m
Chelsea have offered €12m for Pep Chavarria. Rayo Vallecano want closer to €20m (2) (6). Alonso is pushing for the deal, identifying the defender as a bargain option after the club stepped back from Lewis Hall and Maxi Araujo (6).
City balk at Chelsea's Gusto price
Manchester City have responded to Chelsea's asking price for Malo Gusto, and the response is not what your club wanted to hear (3). Details are still thin, but the gap in valuation leaves the right-back's future unresolved.
Emegha arrives, Alonso has a call to make
Emanuel Emegha has joined Chelsea, giving Alonso a decision up front (4). With Sam Kerr gone to Gotham FC, the Dutch striker adds depth, but the starting job is up for grabs.
Fan reactions
The mood is split. The Palestra signing has landed well, a defender in his prime arriving with a genuine reputation. The Chavarria numbers, though, have fans scratching their heads. One thread notes Rayo rejected €15m and are holding out for the full €50m release clause, which makes Chelsea's €12m opening bid look more like a provocation than a serious move.
