Newcastle United earmark Atalanta’s Marco Palestra as a prime target | OneFootball

Newcastle United are actively seeking defensive reinforcements ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with Atalanta’s breakout wing-back Marco Palestra emerging as a leading summer target.

The St James’ Park club are eager to add youth and elite technical quality to their defensive flanks, and the 21-year-old Italian international has shot to the top of Eddie Howe’s recruitment shortlist following an outstanding campaign in Serie A.

Palestra spent the season on loan at Cagliari, where his meteoric rise culminated in him winning the Serie A Best Defender award.

His outstanding domestic form also caught the eye internationally; Palestra earned his first two senior caps for Italy earlier this year, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most coveted young prospects.

Now back at parent club Atalanta, the Bergamo side are ready to maximise their financial leverage. Known as shrewd negotiators who regularly secure premium fees for top talent—as seen with the sales of Rasmus Hojlund and Teun Koopmeiners—Atalanta have reportedly set a firm €40m price tag on the ‘excellent’ Palestra. With Serie A clubs largely priced out, a move to the Premier League appears increasingly likely.

For Newcastle, signing Palestra would be a major coup, but the Magpies will need to move quickly and decisively to complete the deal.

They face intense competition from Arsenal, Manchester City, and Inter Milan, all of whom are closely monitoring the Italian prodigy.

With a clearer pathway to first-team football compared to their rivals, Newcastle are determined to position themselves at the front of the queue for Palestra’s signature.