Chelsea are now down to the final details of a deal for Atalanta youngster Honest Ahanor, with a €48m (£41.5m) agreement close.
That takes Wednesday’s optimism another significant step forward. There is also a new twist to Chelsea’s plan for the 18-year-old.
Sky Sport Italy report the Blues intend to immediately loan Ahanor to another Premier League club.
Chelsea deal now at final details
Chelsea’s late move for Ahanor has developed very quickly. Earlier this week, reports in Italy said the Blues had made contact with Atalanta. The Serie A club wanted a convincing offer before considering a sale.
By Wednesday, Gianluca Di Marzio and Sport Mediaset had negotiations at an advanced stage. A deal worth around €40m (£34.6m) was being discussed.
Sky Sport now put the figure considerably higher. They say the operation is being closed at €48m (£41.5m), with Chelsea and Atalanta working on the final details.
That would make this the second deal between the clubs this summer. Chelsea have already signed Marco Palestra from the Bergamo side.
Given how quickly things have moved, there now appears to be very little standing between Ahanor and becoming a Chelsea player.
Premier League loan already planned
Perhaps the more interesting part of Thursday’s update concerns what happens afterwards. According to Sky Sport, Chelsea’s plan is to send Ahanor on loan to another Premier League club.
No destination is mentioned at this stage. That suggests Chelsea are investing heavily in the youngster without expecting him to immediately join Xabi Alonso’s first-team options.
Ahanor certainly arrives with considerable senior experience for someone born in 2008.
He made 35 appearances for Atalanta last season, including nine in the Champions League, and scored once. Before moving to Bergamo, he had already played nine Serie A matches for Genoa.
Chelsea therefore seem to view regular Premier League football as the next step in his development.
The identity of that temporary home is now something to watch. First, though, Chelsea need to finish the final details of a €48m (£41.5m) transfer which has gone from initial contact to the verge of completion in a matter of days.
