Chelsea and Manchester City are leading a pack of European heavyweights tracking Atalanta’s Nigerian teenage sensation Honest Ahanor, according to Teamtalk.
The 17-year-old only arrived in Bergamo this summer in a £17.5m (€20m) deal from Genoa, but his rapid ascent in Serie A has already sparked a potential transfer scramble.
Ahanor, a versatile left-sided defender who has also featured in midfield, has made 13 appearances across all competitions this season, including starts in the Champions League.
Scouting mission
Well-placed sources have indicated that Chelsea are “ever-present” at Atalanta fixtures, having monitored the teenager since his early days in the Genoa academy.
However, they face stiff competition from the City Group, with Manchester City also understood to be watching his development closely.
The interest is not limited to the Premier League’s top two. Manchester United, Tottenham, and Newcastle have all sent representatives to Italy this season, while Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also among the admirers.
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High valuation
Atalanta are under no immediate pressure to sell, with Ahanor contracted until 2028. However, it is understood a bid in the region of £52.6m (€60m) could tempt the Italian side to triple their investment.
Under current regulations, Ahanor would be unable to move to the Premier League until he turns 18 in February.
Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, the defender has also been at the centre of a national citizenship debate, though he remains focused on a domestic campaign that has seen him show maturity well beyond his years.
