Marco Palestra joins Chelsea in €60 million transfer

On 25 June 2026, Italian defender Marco Palestra completed a move from Inter Milan to Premier League club Chelsea. The deal reportedly exceeds €60 million, surpassing Inter’s earlier €45 million‑plus‑5 million offer, and includes a guaranteed base salary of over €4 million per season plus performance bonuses. Chelsea’s bid was described as “concrete” and “better” than Inter’s, and the transfer is expected to be formalised shortly.

The transfer sparked commentary in Italian media, with columnist Marco Conterio noting that Italian players moving abroad strengthen the national team and bring investment back to Serie A. He argued that the flow of talent to top European clubs benefits the Italian football ecosystem, regardless of the destination.