Why Liverpool missed out on the Chelsea summer signing they also wanted

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| Sports Reporter Published September 10, 2026 9:30am Updated September 10, 2026 9:32am Andoni Iraola could have had another option at right-back this season (Picture: Shutterstock) Chelsea summer signing Marco Palestra was also a target for Liverpool, but they could not make a move for the man the Blues paid £47 million for. Palestra moved to Stamford Bridge from Atalanta over the summer, in one of Xabi Alonso’s first major signings as Chelsea boss.

Injury has caused his early Chelsea career to stall, but he did impress in pre-season and hopes to make his competitive debut for the Blues soon. Chelsea was not the only club interested in the Italian over the summer, with Liverpool also believed to have him on their shopping list before he moved to England.

Marco Palestra has watched from the sidelines so far at Chelsea (Picture: Shutterstock) Palestra – who was also linked with a move to Inter Milan over the summer – is expected to feature regularly under Alonso this season when he has recovered from a knock picked up in training. He came with huge energy, huge desire to enjoy his game in the Premier League. ‘He had a very good pre-season and a few days before the first game against Fulham, he picked up an injury. ‘It’s part of the life of a football player to come back from injury and we will need him for sure.