Chelsea agree £51m transfer after urgent Xabi Alonso request

Marco Palestra is set to join Chelsea (LightRocket via Getty)

Chelsea have reached an initial agreement with Atalanta over a €60 million (£51.6m) deal to sign Marco Palestra, according to reports in Italy.

Inter appeared to be favourites to sign Palestra following extensive negotiations with Atalanta this month and the two Serie A clubs were still in talks on Tuesday.

However, Sky Sport Italy reports that Chelsea had overtaken Inter by late Tuesday evening and the Premier League side have now agreed ...