Chelsea are reportedly plotting an opening offer of €35 million for Atalanta’s Italian midfielder Matteo Pessina in the ongoing summer transfer window.
According to a report from Italian publication La Stampa, as relayed by Transfer Market Web, Premier League giants are readying a summer raid on Serie A outfit Atalanta for the signing of midfielder Matteo Pessina.
The 24-year-old playmaker has been with Atalanta for four years now, having made the switch from AC Milan in the summer of 2017. During his time in Bergamo, Pessina has had loan spells away at Spezia (2017/18) and Hellas Verona (2019/20), but he grew into an integral member of Gian Piero Gasperini’s team in the 2020/21 campaign.
The versatile midfielder, who can play as a No. 10, a No. 8 or even as a holding midfielder, featured 40 times in all competitions for Atalanta in the last season, contributing with four goals and two assists. While those numbers might not be standout, Pessina impressed with his ability to create openings, run at the opposition and his off-the-ball work rate.
Pessina’s solid season with Atalanta earned him a call-up to the Italy national team for the UEFA Euro 2020, albeit as a replacement for Stefano Sensi, who picked up an injury pre-tournament. The 24-year-old hasn’t featured a lot in the competition but has looked good each time he has come on and also scored vital goals in the group game against Wales and the Round of 16 tie against Austria.
Pessina’s overall development seemingly has attracted interest from several top clubs across Europe, with the likes of Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli all previously enquiring about his situation. Now, Chelsea, too, have emerged as a suitor for the 24-year-old as manager Thomas Tuchel looks to reinforce his UEFA Champions League-winning squad.
The Blues, as things stand, have just three senior midfielders left from the squad last season, with Billy Gilmour leaving on loan. However, Tuchel does have loanees like Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ruben Loftus-Cheek back to support the trio of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic. But with the future of the former two hardly certain and Jorginho’s agent once again talking up a return to Italy, another addition to the midfield wouldn’t go amiss.
To that end, Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Eduardo Camavinga of late, while Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid has also been on the radars of the Blues. And, it seems now that Pessina, too, has emerged as a transfer target for the west London giants, who are looking to make the most of his contract situation.
Indeed, Pessina’s deal with Atalanta runs out in a year, and Chelsea are hoping to capitalise by making an offer of €35 million to secure the services of the nine-time capped Italian international to blow away the competition. It now remains to be seen if the Blues do act on their interest in the 24-year-old or look at other targets such as AC Milan star Franck Kessie.