Chelsea beat Inter Milan to sign £47m Italian star

Chelsea have beaten Inter Milan to sign Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Nerazzurri opened negotiations with Atalanta for Palestra earlier this month, and it seemed they were favourites to land his signature.

A £43m package, including add-ons, was proposed, but Chelsea have now beaten the Serie A champions to the player with an improved bid.

They have verbally agreed to pay £47m for the young Italian, who is expected to undergo his medical with them in the next 48 hours.

Palestra spent the previous campaign on loan with Cagliari. He was hugely impressive as a right wing-back where he could play for the Blues.

Blues manager Xabi Alonso likes to work with a 3-4-2-1 formation, and Palestra could play as a right wing-back with Reece James in central defence.

Chelsea are planning more signings for the Spanish tactician and reports claim that a new central defender could be signed with Trevoh Chalobah set to leave.