Inter Milan Eye Cagliari's Marco Palestra as Summer Transfer Target
Inter Milan are considering a summer move for Cagliari's young wing-back Marco Palestra, according to Italian media reports. The 19-year-old, who is owned by Atalanta but has spent the season on loan with the Sardinian club, is viewed as a potential reinforcement for the Nerazzurri's right flank. The interest was reportedly highlighted during Inter's recent Serie A match against Cagliari at San Siro, where club officials were able to observe the player firsthand.
Palestra has emerged as one of the revelations of the 2025/26 Serie A season, contributing one goal and four assists for a Cagliari side close to securing its top-flight status. His performances also earned him a recent call-up to the Italian national team. Inter's interest is not new; the club reportedly made an approach in January to cover for an injury to Denzel Dumfries, but both Cagliari and Atalanta blocked a mid-season move.
The situation is expected to develop in the coming months, with much depending on the future of current Inter right-wing-back Denzel Dumfries. The Dutch international has a release clause set at 25 million euros, and his potential departure would accelerate Inter's pursuit of a replacement. According to the reports, Palestra is the primary name on the shortlist of Inter executives Giuseppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio should Dumfries leave. However, dealing with Atalanta is anticipated to be complex, with the Bergamo club keen to maximize the value of its asset, potentially leading to a bidding war that Inter would prefer to avoid.
Several major Italian betting operators currently list the odds of Palestra joining Inter by the end of the summer transfer window at around 5.00, though these are expected to shift as the situation clarifies. The dynamic reflects a broader strategic planning phase at Inter, who are on the verge of securing the Serie A title and are already laying the groundwork for the next campaign. Securing a talented, young Italian player like Palestra would align with the club's recent transfer policy and provide depth in a key position.
