Crystal Palace are working on a deal to bring highly rated Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor to Selhurst Park on loan, despite the teenager being destined to join Chelsea.
The 18-year-old is understood to have agreed terms on a £40 million move to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea are not expected to take him into their first-team squad immediately. Instead, Ahanor is set to spend the 2026-27 season with Palace to gain regular Premier League experience. ([t.me](https://t.me/s/fabrizioromanotg?before=65689&utm_source=openai))
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano said the clubs had reached a verbal agreement, with Ahanor due to undergo a medical at Crystal Palace on Monday, August 31. He added that Chelsea had already completed the paperwork for a move which would formally take effect in June 2027. ([t.me](https://t.me/s/fabrizioromanotg?before=65689&utm_source=openai))
The arrangement means Ahanor would initially move to Palace from Atalanta, rather than being loaned directly by Chelsea. Reports in Italy have linked the structure to Premier League regulations, with Palace having already secured Axel Disasi from Chelsea on a temporary deal. ([goal.com](https://www.goal.com/fr/listes/atalanta-ahanor-prete-a-crystal-palace-puis-il-sera-a-chelsea-la-raison/blt6e95317f76524f44?utm_source=openai))
Ahanor made 22 Serie A appearances for Atalanta last season and has been regarded as one of the club’s leading young defensive prospects. His arrival would give Palace further cover at the back following the departure of Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea. ([touchlinepress.com](https://touchlinepress.com/story/20260830-crystal-palace-agree-loan-deal-for-chelsea-s-honest-ahanor-lhxmuy?utm_source=openai))
