Atalanta's Marco Palestra attracts Premier League interest after Italy display
Atalanta-owned wing-back Marco Palestra is emerging as a prime summer transfer target for Premier League clubs following his composed performance for Italy in their crucial World Cup qualifying defeat to Bosnia. The 21-year-old, currently on a season-long loan at Cagliari, is set to return to Bergamo at the end of the campaign, but a major sale is now considered likely.
Palestra, who made his senior international debut just days before the Bosnia match, was one of the few Italian players to emerge with credit from the loss in Zenica. His technical ability and versatility, being naturally right-footed but comfortable carrying the ball with his left, have made him a standout in Serie A this season. Data shows he has won 200 duels and completed 52 dribbles, a notably high figure that has drawn widespread attention.
His development at Cagliari, where he has been a regular starter, has exceeded expectations and solidified his status as one of Italy's most promising wide players. This form, coupled with his international emergence, has placed him firmly on the radar of clubs planning summer reinforcements. While Inter Milan have been linked with an interest in him as a potential successor to Denzel Dumfries, a move abroad appears more probable due to financial constraints in Serie A.
According to the report, Atalanta would demand a fee between €40-45 million and would prefer to wait for a substantial offer from abroad rather than sell to a domestic rival. Palestra's agent is Alessandro Lucci, who has previously orchestrated deals taking Dejan Kulusevski to Tottenham and Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal, strengthening the Premier League connection. The expectation is that Palestra's next move will be a permanent transfer, with England seen as the most realistic destination.
