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CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Marco Palestra of Cagliari looks on before the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Marco Palestra says that he feels ‘ready’ to step up to a big club ahead of the 2026-27 season, as reports linking him with a move to Serie A and Coppa Italia champions Inter continue to circulate.
Palestra puts Inter on high alert: ‘Ready’ for a big club next season
Palestra was one of the breakthrough stars of the 2025-26 Serie A season, impressing while on loan at Cagliari and earning his first caps for the Italy national team as a result.
The 21-year-old is one of only four members of the current 24-man Italy squad who have previously been capped at senior level as Silvio Baldini prepares to lead his young Azzurri representatives into a pair of international friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece coming up this week.
Palestra spoke to the media from Italy’s training centre at Coverciano on Monday, and did not hide the fact that he feels ready to move away from Atalanta during the summer transfer window.
“I’ve always felt ready,” said Palestra when asked if he feels like now is the right time to step up to a ‘big’ club.
“I want to thank Cagliari and the coach Pisacane for my first season as a starter in Serie A. Now I’m focused on these two games and starting over with Italy. For next season, I hope to grow and improve even more, to fight for even higher goals.”
Meanwhile, reports on Sunday claimed that Inter are ready to go all-in and make Palestra their ‘priority’ signing this transfer window.
The young right-back is reportedly valued in the region of €50m, and Inter will be particularly keen to acqire his services if they sell Denzel Dumfries, who has a €25m release clause in his contract. Luis Henrique is also among the Nerazzurri players who could leave the club this summer.
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
