Updated: 23 Jun 2026 18:27 BST |
4 min read
Chelsea are battling Inter to sign Atalanta sensation Marco Palestra, David Ornstein has confirmed.
The 21-year-old is regarded as one of Serie A’s biggest talents after bursting onto the scene on loan at Cagliari last season. A versatile full-back, Palestra was named the league’s Defender of the Year in 2025/26.
He has returned to Atalanta, but the expectation is that he will be sold this summer. Reports in Italy have suggested that La Dea would be ready to talk business if their €50 million asking price is met.
In recent weeks, Palestra has primarily been associated with Inter. The youngster grew up in Milan and briefly spent time in the Nerazzurri’s academy. He is their top target to replace Real Madrid-bound Denzel Dumfries.
However, there have also been links with Chelsea, and transfer insider David Ornstein has confirmed that the interest is genuine, with Inter “facing major competition” from the Blues.
Chelsea want Palestra – but does he want Chelsea?
Ornstein reports that Chelsea and another unnamed Premier League club have been alerted to Palestra’s stunning rise to prominence and are trying to sign the full-back this summer.
The journalist confirms that Inter have been in talks with Atalanta but that no agreement between the two clubs has as yet been reached, giving Chelsea the chance to potentially swoop in and hijack the deal.
Apart from that, Ornstein does not provide much information on the topic. However, reports in Italy from various sources have claimed that Palestra is not necessarily keen on a move to Chelsea.
Already last week, it was reported that the Stamford Bridge club had made an enquiry for Palestra, only to have it knocked back by the player, who has his heart set on returning to his hometown and joining Inter.
Whether that is indeed his stance remains to be seen, with Ornstein making no mention of a reluctance to move to England. What is clear, though, is that this saga is not expected to drag on for much longer.
Ornstein understands that Palestra’s future will be resolved “in the coming days.”
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