Atalanta of Italy’s Nigerian-born defender, Honest Ahanor is attracting summer transfer interest from Real Madrid of Spain, with a strong possibility of a move to La Liga by the 18-year-old centre-back at the end of this season.
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Sports247 gathered that, with Ademola Lookman’s former club failing to hold firm in the Italian Serie A and recently losing in the UEFA Champions League, Ahanor is secretly harbouring exits thoughts.
The youngster, who was born in Aversa, Italy on February 23rd, 2008, is likely to see his dreams become a reality, as information from The Land of The Armada indicates that Los Blancos are ready to make a mega-money bid for his signature.
That could mean an expedited move for the left-footed Italy under-21 international centre-back, who only joined La Dea last summer from Genoa in a deal worth €17m, following which Ahanor has excelled.
The tall lad, who can also play as left-back, is now being considered as a likely replacement for Madrid veterans, David Olatokunbo Alaba and Toni Rudiger, who Real are ready to let go in the summer, as they get out of contract at the end of June.
Attention at Santiago Bernabeu is now said to be on Ahanor, whose reputation has soared after making 28 appearances for Bergamo-based Atalanta, including nine matches and a goal in the UEFA Champions League.
A report by Tribal Football adds, “Sky Italia’s transfer expert, Gianluca di Marzio is reporting Real have been scouting the 18-year-old stopper. At Atalanta, he has established himself as a key player in the defence despite his youth.”
Sports247 further gathered that Ahanor signed a three-year contract with Atalanta on July 4th, 2025 and got his Champions League debut on September 30th, playing the full 90 minutes of his side’s 2-1 win against Club Brugge of Belgium.
After turning 18 and applying for Italian citizenship, Ahanor received his first call-up to Italy’s under-21 team on March 20th this year, but he remains eligible to play for Nigeria at senior international level.
