Marco Palestra's agent Alessandro Lucci arrived in Milan on June 22 for negotiations with Inter Milan, signaling imminent progress on a €50m transfer. The 20-year-old impressed on loan at Cagliari during 2024-25, contributing 1 goal and 4 assists, which earned him his first senior Italy caps.
Inter has emerged as the frontrunner despite strong interest from Chelsea and Manchester City. The agreement is reportedly close, with discussions centered on bonus structure and potential sell-on clauses. Atalanta has signaled they will not block the transfer but remain firm on their €50m valuation.
Palestra, turning 21 in March, is viewed as the ideal successor to Denzel Dumfries (Real Madrid-bound) in Inter's 3-5-2 formation, where he would partner Italy international Federico Dimarco. Atalanta have built a reputation for developing talent and accepting bids from elite clubs.
Palestra's imminent transfer to Inter affects squad depth at both clubs; Inter's acquisition strengthens their wing-back options for Champions League competition, while Atalanta's sale frees capital for reinvestment. Market expectations for Inter's defensive stability may shift based on integration timeline.