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Premier League giants Chelsea are in advanced talks over a €40 million deal for Atalanta’s Italian-born Nigerian defender Honest Ahanor.
This was revealed by European transfer expert and Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
“Chelsea are in advanced talks over €40m deal for Honest Ahanor from Atalanta,” Romano wrote on his X handle.
“Understand the agreement for 18-year-old defender would include joining a Premier League club this summer in order to develop and then join Chelsea in June 2027.
“Honest already said yes to Chelsea.”
Ahanor made 22 appearances for Atalanta in the 2025/2026 Serie A season.
As a youth player, Ahanor joined the youth academy of Italian side Genoa. During the 2023/24 season, he played for the club’s under-15, under-16, and under-17 teams. He helped the team secure a 2–2 draw against Napoli on 11 May, 2025.
On 4 July 2025, Ahanor signed with Atalanta for a reported fee of €16 million, plus €4 million in bonuses. He signed a three-year contract with the club, the maximum length allowed as he is under 18 years old.
Also on 30 September, Ahanor made his Champions League debut, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 win against Club Brugge.
Son of Nigerian parents, until his 18th birthday, Ahanor was eligible to play solely for Nigeria.
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Despite being Italian by upbringing and cultural identity, he has never been eligible to represent Italy at youth level. Under current Italian law, children born in Italy to foreign parents cannot automatically acquire citizenship.
They may apply only after turning 18, provided they have lived in the country continuously and legally. Ahanor’s case has reignited debate over Italy’s citizenship rules for second-generation immigrants.
After turning 18 and applying for Italian citizenship, he then received his first call-up for Italy U21 on 20 March 2026 by head coach Silvio Baldini.
In May 2026, Ahanor was one of the players who were called up with the Italy national senior squad by interim head coach Silvio Baldini, for the friendly matches against Luxembourg and Greece on 3 and 7 June 2026, respectively.
By James Agberebi
