Atalanta has agreed to sell Honest Ahanor to Chelsea for €48 million, which includes various performance-related add-ons. However, the 18-year-old Italy international is expected to be loaned out to Crystal Palace shortly after the transfer.
The deal for Ahanor was finalized a few days ago and involves a combination of bonuses that could elevate the total to €48 million.
Advertisement
Due to a lack of space in Chelsea’s current squad, the club always intended to loan him out first.
Potential Loan Options for Ahanor
In a match held on February 5, 2026, Honest Ahanor of Atalanta was challenged by Francisco Conceicao of Juventus during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
While there were multiple options for Ahanor’s loan, notably Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, reports from Sky Sport Italia and Fabrizio Romano confirm that he will instead be transferred to Crystal Palace.
Ahanor walks off after receiving a red card during a Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 1, 2026, in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Advertisement
He is expected to fly out for medical tests tomorrow, allowing him to acclimate to life in London, though he won’t yet be training at Chelsea’s facilities.
This transfer marks Chelsea’s second significant acquisition from Atalanta this summer, following the signing of Marco Palestra for well over €50 million, including add-ons.
Marco Palestra of Chelsea during the Sydney Super Cup match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham at Accor Stadium on August 1, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Since Crystal Palace already has Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea, the club may need to negotiate a permanent transfer to comply with Premier League regulations regarding multiple loans from a single team.