Reports from Italy indicate that Inter Milan is set to make the acquisition of Italian international Marco Palestra their top priority this summer. The Nerazzurri are allegedly willing to commit significant funds to secure the 21-year-old’s services.
Palestra Identified as Inter’s Premier Summer Transfer Target
Marco Palestra emerged as one of the standout talents in the 2025-26 Serie A season. His impressive performances on loan at Cagliari led to his debut for the Italian national team.
Inter, fresh off winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, is reportedly interested in bringing Palestra to the club from Atalanta. However, Atalanta is known for its strong negotiating stance and is seeking a fee in the range of €40 million to €50 million for the player, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Despite their recent successes, a €50 million expenditure would represent a substantial investment for Inter. The club has only exceeded this figure once before, when signing Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United in 2019.
Nevertheless, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Inter’s management is prepared to present what they term a “maxi offer” for Palestra. This approach is partly driven by the potential sale of Denzel Dumfries, who has a €25 million release clause, and the possibility of allowing alternative right wing-back Luis Henrique to depart this summer.
While the cost of signing Palestra might approach the combined fees for both Henrique and Andy Diouf, reports suggest this is the desire of manager Cristian Chivu, and the Italian international is currently Inter’s primary transfer target.
English Translation:
Inter Milan is reportedly making the signing of Italian international Marco Palestra a top priority this summer, and the Nerazzurri are prepared to invest heavily to acquire the 21-year-old.
Palestra is Inter’s Priority Summer Transfer Target
Palestra was one of the breakout stars of the 2025-26 Serie A season, impressing during his loan spell with Cagliari and subsequently earning his first call-ups to the Italy national team.
Scudetto and Coppa Italia champions Inter are said to be eager to lure him away from Atalanta this summer. However, La Dea (Atalanta) typically holds firm in negotiations and is seeking a fee in the region of €40 million to €50 million for Palestra this summer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Despite their double success this season, €50 million is still a significant investment for Inter. The club has only spent above the €50 million mark on one previous occasion, when signing Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United in 2019.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Inter’s management is prepared to submit what they describe as a ‘maxi offer’ for Palestra this summer. This is because there is a possibility that Denzel Dumfries could be sold via his €25 million release clause, and the club’s alternative option at right wing-back, Luis Henrique, could also be allowed to leave this summer.
Signing Palestra might cost around the same as acquiring both Henrique and Andy Diouf combined, but La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that this is what manager Cristian Chivu wants, and that at present, the Italy international is the club’s priority target.
