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Chelsea and Manchester City have approached the representatives of Atalanta fullback Marco Palestra, according to reports.
Sky in Italy has claimed that both teams have “made contact with the player’s entourage” in recent days.
It is believed Chelsea’s enquiry came shortly after it was confirmed that Marc Cucurella would join Real Madrid.
The Blues are looking to replace the Spanish international, but it is surprising that they have considered Palestra, considering he is ostensibly a right-back, not a left-back.
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Palestra doesn’t want to leave Italy
Despite Chelsea making initial contact, though, there is next to no chance that the 21-year-old will make the switch to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Palestra is said to have no interest in leaving his homeland, and he is currently prioritising a move to Serie A champions Inter Milan.
The Nerazzurri have been locked in negotiations, but they have yet to agree a fee for the player. Despite having loaned him out to Cagliari last season, Atalanta value him at €55m (£47.5m). They are demanding €50m (£43.2m) up front and another €5m (£4.3m) in performance-related add-ons.
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Chelsea could be eyeing a replacement for Gusto
Despite Sky linking the interest in Palestra to Cucurella’s departure, it seems much more likely that Xabi Alonso’s side were targeting him to replace another player.
It is believed that Malo Gusto’s future is also in doubt, and while the Frenchman’s departure is not imminent, there is a growing expectation that he will leave London before the end of the transfer window.
From the outside looking in, it does seem as if there could be plenty of outgoings. In addition to Cucurella (and potentially Gusto), there are question marks over the futures of several other stars, including Enzo Fernandez, Liam Delap and Filip Jorgensen.