Manchester City could reportedly enter the race for Marco Palestra, potentially complicating Inter’s hopes of signing the Atalanta-owned wing-back this summer.
According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, City are monitoring the 21-year-old, with their interest likely to become more serious if Enzo Maresca replaces Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Inter have already identified Palestra as a major target and are believed to be considering an offer worth around €40 million. The Nerazzurri see him as one of the most promising young Italian players in Serie A after an impressive 2025-26 season on loan at Cagliari.
Palestra is due to return to Atalanta at the end of the campaign, but his long-term future in Bergamo remains uncertain. His performances have attracted attention across Europe, and Atalanta could now be in a strong position to demand a much higher fee.
Di Marzio told TMW that Manchester City’s involvement could push Palestra’s price up to between €50m and €60m. That would make the deal far more difficult for Inter, who may struggle to match Atalanta’s demands if a Premier League giant joins the bidding.
The situation could also depend on Guardiola’s future. The Spaniard is under contract with Manchester City until June 2027, but there continues to be uncertainty around his long-term plans. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Maresca is currently the only name on City’s list as a possible successor.
Palestra has enjoyed a breakout campaign at Cagliari, scoring once and providing four assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. His rise was further confirmed in March, when he made his senior debut for Italy.
For Inter, the message is clear. If they want to win the race for Palestra, they may need to move quickly before Manchester City’s interest turns into a serious summer battle.
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