Chelsea are in talks to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, with the Italian club prepared to sell if their €40m (£34.3m) valuation is met. The potential move would continue Chelsea’s squad rebuild under Xabi Alonso and add a young, increasingly established left-sided defender.

Ahanor, 18, made 28 Serie A appearances for Atalanta last season and played in the Champions League, having joined from Genoa for €16m plus potential add-ons. Atalanta previously rejected a €34m (£29m) offer from Brighton, while Chelsea’s interest emerged during their July deal for right-back Marco Palestra.