Inter face collapse in Palestra pursuit as Atalanta demand €50m+

Inter Milan’s attempt to sign Marco Palestra is under severe threat after Atalanta BC set a valuation exceeding €50 million for the Italian wing-back. Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Manchester City have entered the race, potentially pricing Inter out of the deal. Palestra, who impressed on loan at Cagliari last season, remains Inter’s top target to replace Denzel Dumfries ahead of his move to Real Madrid. The Nerazzurri’s hopes hinge partly on the player’s personal preference, with Palestra reportedly favouring Inter over Newcastle. This dynamic gives Inter negotiating leverage. A potential swap deal involving defender Matteo Cocchi was rejected by Atalanta, who deemed the 2007-born defender insufficient compensation. This leaves Inter with no alternative but to table a cash offer above €50 million, a substantial financial commitment. The club must also account for the loss of Champions League prize money, complicating the negotiation further. Atalanta’s inflexible stance aligns with their established strategy of maximizing value for prized assets, with no indication of compromise on Palestra’s transfer fee. If Manchester City submit a formal bid, Palestra’s preference would reportedly shift to the Premier League side, further jeopardizing Inter’s chances. The player’s stance remains a critical factor in the stalled negotiations. Inter’s pursuit mirrors last summer’s failed attempt to sign Ademola Lookman, raising concerns over their ability to secure Palestra under current terms.