Chelsea seal – Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Marco Palestra from Atalanta, Newcastle have moved toward deals for World Cup stars Johan Manzambi and Bazoumana Toure, and Hayden Hackney is expected to have his Everton medical as talks continue over Tyrique George.
The transfer window has barely opened and the momentum is already starting to look ruthless. Chelsea have confirmed Marco Palestra as they build under Xabi Alonso. while Newcastle have stepped up their pursuit of new faces shaped by this summer’s tournament. Across the way, Everton are preparing for Hayden Hackney’s move, with other business still in the mix.
Chelsea moved first to make their mark. The club have confirmed the signing of 21-year-old Italian defender Marco Palestra from Atalanta. Palestra has agreed a six-year deal with the option of a further year. in a deal reported to be worth around £48million. In his first comments after the announcement. Palestra said: ‘It’s important for me to have Xabi Alonso as the manager. ’ adding that he has spoken twice with Alonso and is happy with what was discussed. ‘I have had two conversations with him and I’m very happy because he told me what he wanted from me. I’m very happy to know him and to start training with Chelsea.’.
Palestra arrives as a highly regarded defender. He has been named Serie A defender of the season and is described as versatile, with Chelsea positioning him as a central piece of their squad for what comes next.
Newcastle. meanwhile. are not waiting for the window to unfold—they’re pushing conversations for players they believe can reshape Eddie Howe’s group. Talks are ongoing over Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi. and he is emerging as a frontrunner in the pursuit of Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure.
Manzambi, a 20-year-old who plays for Freiburg in Germany, has caught attention at the World Cup. He has scored a brace against Bosnia. delivering a man of the match performance. and added another strike in Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Canada. Newcastle also see a longer-term trajectory for him: he has been named the Europa League Young Player of the Season after Freiburg lost to Aston Villa in the final.
Toure is equally young—also 20—and currently plays in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim. He operates as an inverted left winger, with Newcastle viewing him as a possible replacement for Anthony Gordon, who was sold to Barcelona.
While Newcastle chase their targets, Everton are preparing for their own step forward. Hayden Hackney is expected to have his medical ahead of his £16.5m move to Everton from Middlesbrough. The expectation is that the deal will take him from Boro to Goodison Park. but the club’s activity doesn’t stop there.
Everton are also still in talks to sign Tyrique George from Chelsea on a permanent basis. George had an option to buy tied to the end of his loan spell. with Everton holding an option to buy the 20-year-old following the culmination of that loan at the end of the season. But David Moyes’s club are now pushing to agree fresh terms closer to £20million.
The scramble for midfield and defensive depth is spreading quickly too. Rangers have signed midfielder Dan Neil on a three-year contract after he left Sunderland. The 24-year-old had been in talks with Southampton and was looked set to move to St Mary’s. with interest also coming from West Ham. Rangers moved swiftly to complete the deal. with Neil having spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town. and he becomes another addition in a window that’s moving fast.
In Liverpool’s case, the business is already official. The club have confirmed the signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £55m, plus £5m in potential add-ons. Jacquet has agreed a five-year deal after he had settled on Liverpool over Chelsea in February. He is expected to be on the upcoming pre-season tour of America.
Liverpool’s latest signing also comes with an update on fitness. Jacquet has assured fans he will be fully fit to start training after missing the end of last season with a shoulder injury. He said: ‘I feel much improved and I will be 100 per cent ready (for the start of pre-season) because I’m a little ahead of schedule. ’ and added that ‘With continued hard work I’ll be fully fit before the season.’.
Chelsea Marco Palestra Newcastle United Johan Manzambi Bazoumana Toure Everton Hayden Hackney Tyrique George Rangers Dan Neil Liverpool Jeremy Jacquet transfer window Xabi Alonso Eddie Howe David Moyes
Wow 48 million already and the window just started.
I don’t even know who Palestra is but if he’s coming from Atalanta then he must be good. Also Everton doing medicals already?? this stuff is nonstop.
Wait so Everton is “eyeing Hackney” like they’re buying him but it says talks continue over Tyrique George… so who’s actually leaving? Sounds like they’re just trading names around lol.
Xabi Alonso wanting defenders makes sense, but £48m for a 21-year-old seems like a lot. Half these guys are probably only hyped because of the World Cup or whatever, like Manzambi and Toure… next year they’ll be saying it was all part of a master plan. Ever notice how they always say “option of another year” like that helps the player? Doesn’t feel great to me.