**Kieran Trippier announced his decision to leave Newcastle United over the weekend, and ever since, the Magpies have been linked with a host of right-backs.**
Replacing a figure like Kieran Trippier is not going to be an easy task, given everything that the veteran defender represented.
As the 35-year-old is such an influence behind the scenes, replacing that aspect is going to be nigh-on impossible for the club to do, so they have to make sure they get the on-field replacement right.
[Trippier needs replacing](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/04/08/newcastle-keen-on-denzel-dumfries-as-kieran-trippier-replacement/) and there have been plenty of names thrown around as potential candidates to fill that void, with right-back of particular concern as Tino Livramento exit links continue.
Young Italian full-back Marco Palestra is the latest name in the frame with Newcastle keen on the Atalanta full-back who has been starring on loan at Cagliari this season, according to Italian outlet [Tuttosport](https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/calciomercato/2026/04/04-147738230/palestra-muharemovic_la_sfida_non_si_ferma_incroci_di_mercato_e_sul_campo_per_i_due_giovani_talenti).
Newcastle have been keeping an eye on Serie A for defenders, having also been heavily linked with Giorgio Scalvini of late, and it appears that Palestra has caught the eye of the scouts out there, too.
Valued at £39 million, Palestra is attracting interest from some top clubs, including Barcelona and Liverpool, as well as other Serie A sides, so if Newcastle want to try and land the 21-year-old, they’re going to have to move quickly and decisively.
Plaestra ticks some big boxes for Newcastle. He’s young, two-footed and can play on either flank. He’s got bags of pace and likes to get forward. On paper, he sounds ideal, but that’s probably why the likes of Barcelona and Liverpool are expected to provide strong competition for his signature.
Newcastle are building up quite a list of young full-backs, which they need to do as they are at risk of losing all three right-backs ahead of the new campaign.
We definitely like the sound of Palestra, but the lingering threat of Liverpool and Barcelona has us wondering if we’ve got what it takes to pull this one off.
Rumour Rating: 7/10 – The signing sounds ideal, and the story is being picked up by more reputable sources than just internet-based chancers. The issue is going to be the competition for his signature.