Inter Milan interest could push Barcelona away from a highly-rated defensive target | OneFootball

Barcelona’s summer transfer plans seem to firmly include signing defensive depth in the full-back positions.

The club have been linked with a move for versatile Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, who is said to be tempted by the possibility of joining the Catalan club.

Speculation is also rife about the futures of Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, with the incumbent Barcelona full-backs linked with moves away from the club.

Barcelona monitoring versatile Italian defender

Barcelona admire Marco Palestra. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Atalanta full-back Marco Palestra remains a player admired by Barcelona’s sporting department.

The 21-year-old has emerged as an option thanks to his ability to play on either flank, which seems to be a theme among most of Barcelona’s full-back targets this summer.

Palestra spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Cagliari, and his stock has risen over the past year. His performances have also seen him earn an Italy cap.

Chain reaction involving Real Madrid could be an obstacle

The report outlines that while Barcelona admire Palestra, the transfer could get complicated due to Inter Milan’s growing interest.

Inter Milan are interested in Palestra as well. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri are keen on securing his services as part of a chain reaction that would see Denzel Dumfries move to Real Madrid.

Clubs such as Manchester City, Arsenal and Juventus have also been linked with the Italian defender, whose market value is around €30 million.

For Barcelona, any serious pursuit of Palestra would likely have to wait until the futures of the existing full-back options in the squad and Joao Cancelo are sorted.

At the moment, it looks like Inter’s interest and Madrid’s pursuit of Dumfries have shifted the momentum away from the Catalan club, and this is a transfer situation to watch closely this summer.