Honest Ahanor set for Chelsea in 2027 after Crystal Palace loan

Chelsea have agreed a deal worth up to £40 million for Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, with the teenager due to become a Chelsea player next summer after spending the 2026-27 campaign at Crystal Palace. BBC Sport reported that the arrangement has been agreed by all parties and that the 18-year-old Italy international will not move directly to Stamford Bridge this season.

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The structure produced the unusual sight of Ahanor being announced by both Premier League clubs on the same day. Atalanta have loaned him to Palace for the current campaign, while Chelsea's purchase is scheduled to take effect in 2027. Palace therefore gain the defender for a season before his permanent move across London.

BBC Sport reported that the sequence also works around the Premier League rule limiting clubs to one loan between teams in the same division. Chelsea have already sent Axel Disasi directly to Palace on loan for a £3 million fee. Because Ahanor remains an Atalanta player during his Palace spell, he is not a second Chelsea loanee at the club.

Chelsea's interest developed after they signed right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta in July, according to the BBC. Ahanor, who primarily plays at left-back, moved from Genoa to Atalanta last summer on a three-year contract for a reported 16 million euros plus a further 4 million euros in potential add-ons. He made 28 Serie A appearances for Atalanta last season and became a regular starter.

Ahanor also made his Champions League debut in Atalanta's 2-1 victory over Club Brugge last September. His only senior goal came in a 4-0 Coppa Italia win against Genoa in December 2025, and he received an Italy call-up in May for friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. In comments published by Palace, he expressed gratitude and excitement about joining a club he views as a strong place for young players.

The transaction comes amid further business between Chelsea and Palace. Chelsea signed centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Palace for £52 million last month, while Disasi made the temporary move in the other direction. Chelsea have also sold striker Marc Guiu to RB Leipzig in a deal the BBC said is worth £14.6 million including add-ons; the 20-year-old scored eight goals in 29 first-team appearances after arriving from Barcelona in July 2024.