With time running out in the transfer window, Atalanta is narrowing down their options to strengthen their defense. After showing less interest in Rodrigo Becao, Trevoh Chalobah’s stock has risen significantly as a potential target. There is also the option of Odilon Kossounou.
Atalanta has steadily shifted their focus toward Chalobah, who is one of the many players likely to leave Chelsea. This idea has gained momentum in the final hours of the transfer market. Born in Sierra Leone and naturalized as an English citizen, the towering 1.92m defender is regarded as one of the most promising players in English youth football, with a total of 51 appearances from the Under-16 to Under-21 level, including a European Championship victory with the Under-19s in 2017. Since returning to Chelsea full-time in 2021, he has had limited playing time, making just 14 appearances last season. Now at 25 years old, Chalobah is eager to become an integral part of a new project, making him an appealing option for Atalanta.
Negotiations with Chelsea, who have locked Chalobah down until 2028, could be challenging, especially as the London club is keen to trim their squad. Talks have already begun, but time is of the essence, as a final resolution will need to be reached within the next 48 hours due to the necessary bureaucratic procedures that come with transfers between England and Italy. Chalobah is familiar with a three-man defense, which would help him quickly adapt to Gian Piero Gasperini’s system.
Other clubs, including Manchester United and Newcastle, have shown interest in Chalobah recently, and he was also linked to AC Milan and Napoli back in January. Despite never having made his senior debut for England, he possesses international experience and can play both as a central defender and in front of the back line, showcasing his versatility.
The pursuit of Chalobah follows a weekend of frustration for Atalanta as they waited for updates on Becao. Initially, Becao was the prime target, and an agreement with the former Udinese player seemed possible. However, Turkish club Fenerbahçe has remained firm on their demand for a permanent transfer, cooling Atalanta’s interest as discussions made little progress since last Friday.
As the situation unfolded, it became clear that pursuing Chalobah was the best option. Additionally, Atalanta is keeping an eye on Kossounou, the Ivorian defender currently with Bayer Leverkusen, who was closely observed during the Europa League final in Dublin. Kossounou, standing at 1.91m, has yet to play this season for the German champions. He is a player that Atalanta scouts have followed for months due to his impressive physicality and defensive skills, along with the potential to play as a full-back. Born in 2001, he also represents an interesting prospect for the future, but for now, he remains a secondary option as Atalanta aims to solidify their defensive lineup before the window closes.
