Inter Milan are intensifying their efforts to sign Marco Palestra from Atalanta, particularly with the potential departure of Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid for a reported €20 million. The move for Palestra has become the club’s primary transfer target, surpassing previous interest in midfielders like Curtis Jones and Manu Koné, as well as defensive options. According to sources, Inter are prepared to offer a significant fee to secure the young player.
Initial contact between Inter and Atalanta has already taken place, with both clubs maintaining a positive relationship despite a minor disagreement last summer regarding Ademola Lookman. Inter’s CEO Beppe Marotta and sporting director Dario Ausilio are in direct communication with the Percassi family, owners of Atalanta, and have not received a definitive rejection. However, Atalanta are holding firm on their valuation of Palestra, who enjoyed a successful season on loan at Cagliari.
Atalanta reportedly rejected Inter’s initial offer of €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses. The Bergamo club are seeking upwards of €50 million for Palestra, anticipating potential interest from Premier League clubs such as Newcastle United and Manchester City, and a preliminary inquiry from Juventus. It is believed Atalanta have set a starting price of €52-53 million, and Inter may need to exceed this figure through a combination of bonuses and a player exchange.
The Nerazzurri are considering including young left-back Matteo Cocchi, currently playing for their Under 23 team, as part of the deal. Cocchi, a 2007-born talent, has already been utilized by Inter’s first team coach Cristian Chivu and is a player Atalanta are known to admire, particularly for their focus on developing young Italian players. The inclusion of Cocchi could be facilitated by the fact that Palestra’s agent, Alessandro Lucci, was recently in Milan and may be looking to represent the young defender as well. Inter are prepared to offer Palestra a five-year contract worth €2.5 million per season.
Atalanta’s valuation of Palestra is reminiscent of the fee Inter paid for Nicolò Barella in 2019, which ultimately exceeded €50 million due to structured payments and bonuses. Currently, Inter are not pursuing alternative options to Palestra, viewing him as their top priority. However, should a Premier League club outbid them, they may revisit their interest in Dan Ndoye of Nottingham Forest, who they previously scouted during his time at Bologna.
