Inter close on Palestra, but Chelsea and Manchester City still in the fight | OneFootball

Inter are confident they can get a deal done with Atalanta for Marco Palestra worth €50m, but The Athletic claims Chelsea and another Premier League club are not giving up.

The right-back made a big impact when on loan at Cagliari this season and returned to base ready for the next step in his career.

It has been clear for many months that Inter had him as their top target to replace Denzel Dumfries, who is heading for Real Madrid with a release clause of around €20m.

Inter remain Palestra favourites

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 17: Marco Palestra of Cagliari Calcio in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

His agent has been in Milan since yesterday for intensive negotiations, with Palestra also giving his preference to Inter over a Premier League move.

Sky Sport Italia say that today Inter presented a formal offer of personal terms to his representative.

Atalanta seem prepared to accept the bid worth €45m plus a further €5m in add-ons, but The Athletic insist that it is not done yet.

David Ornstein maintains that Chelsea and another Premier League club are still in the running, and prepared to make an improved offer to challenge Inter.

It had been reported the other English side involved in the race was Manchester City, as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur interest never really intensified.