[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) (Inter links)
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)](https://football-italia.net/chelsea-enquire-inter-man-city-target-palestra/) Sky Sport Italia reports that Chelsea have joined the race to sign Marco Palestra by opening preliminary talks with the defender’s agent.
Chelsea are among the clubs interested in Atalanta-owned right-back Palestra, according to Sky Sport Italia.
Palestra spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Cagliari, resulting in one of the most promising defenders in Italy’s top flight, and attracting interest from other top clubs such as Inter and Manchester City.
Chelsea open talks with Palestra
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)
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)
It is believed that Atalanta’s asking price exceeds €50m, and according to Sky, Chelsea have now made contact with the defender’s agent, Alessandro Lucci, who is also the representative of Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori.
According to Sky, Palestra is keen to remain in Serie A, so his priority remains to wait for Inter and Atalanta to reach an agreement over his transfer fee.
Palestra made his senior Italy debut in March 2026 and has two international appearances to his name.
Atalanta are prepared to sell him, but Inter still haven’t reached an agreement with La Dea.
Post navigation