Trevoh Chalobah is set to reunite with Cesc Fabregas, with Serie A club Como reportedly edging ahead of Crystal Palace and Inter Milan in the race to sign the Chelsea defender. The ambitious Italian side have acted swiftly to secure the centre-back, giving him the opportunity to play under the management of former Chelsea favourite Fabregas.
Fabregas has succeeded in landing his target as Como’s aggressive recruitment push continues. The club, guided by Fabregas, have identified Chalobah as a key addition to strengthen their defence following their remarkable fourth-place finish in Serie A last season, which earned them a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
The move is a major achievement for the Lariani, who have managed to persuade the 27-year-old that his future lies at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, after weeks of speculation over his departure from Stamford Bridge, an agreement worth around €35 million including bonuses is close to being finalised.
Chalobah first broke into Chelsea’s senior team in 2018, a period that overlapped with Fabregas’s time at the club. Although the two did not share the pitch in a competitive match, they will now be reunited in Italy, marking a new chapter in both their careers.
Competition for Chalobah’s signature was intense, with several top European clubs expressing interest. Inter had been long-term admirers of the English defender, but the Nerazzurri were unwilling to meet Chelsea’s valuation, allowing Como to step in decisively.
Crystal Palace also made a strong push to keep Chalobah in the Premier League after his loan spell at Selhurst Park during the 2024–25 season, where he featured in 14 matches and netted three goals before being recalled by Chelsea midway through the campaign. However, the project in Lombardy ultimately proved more convincing. Como president Mirwan Suwarso shared that the club had taken a calculated approach, even consulting with other Italian executives to understand the market before making their move.
Discussing the high-stakes transfer negotiations, Suwarso offered insight into Como’s strategy while pursuing the Chelsea defender, who remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2028, with an option to extend for an additional year. He recounted a conversation with a rival club president about competing for English players, showcasing Como’s pragmatic approach to business in Serie A.
“We were mentioned in the media as competing with another Italian club for an English player,” Suwarso explained. “I thought, why not just call the president of the other club and say, ‘If you want him, go ahead, we’ll step back. But if you do sign him, give us one of your players in exchange.’ He replied, ‘Thanks for the call, I appreciate it. We’ll let you know.’”
For Chalobah, the move to Italy represents a chance to reboot his career after struggling for consistent first-team opportunities in west London. Despite his dependability when selected, the defender made 47 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring three goals as Chelsea finished tenth in the Premier League. The transfer to Como marks a fresh beginning in a new environment, where he will aim to re-establish himself as a key defensive figure under Fabregas’s leadership.
