The Italy international right-back could be on the move this summer amid Newcastle's search for a Kieran Trippier replacement
Marco Palestra of Italy and Sandro Tonali
Marco Palestra of Italy with Sandro Tonali
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Newcastle United are in the market to sign a new right-back this summer and Italy international full-back Marco Palestra has been touted as one such option.
Palestra, who made his debut for the Italian national team back in March, has just spent the season loan at Cagliari from Atalanta and excelled during his 37 appearances for I Rossoblu.
He will return to Bergamo this summer but his future could lie away from the New Balance Arena after impressing so much during his loan spell at the Unipol Domus.
Newcastle have been credited with an interest, as well as Serie A champions Inter Milan and a whole host of Premier League clubs and the 21-year-old has put those clubs on red alert ahead of playing for Italy in friendly matches against Luxembourg and Greece this week.
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"Do I feel ready to make the leap to a big club? I've always felt ready, Palestra said, as quoted by Italian publication Ansa.
"I thank Cagliari and coach [Fabio] Pisacane for this first season as a starter in Serie A.
"Now I'm focused on the two Azzurri matches, which are important for the ranking and because Italy needs to get back on track. For next season, I ask for me to continue to grow and improve, and strive for ever higher goals."
Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth are both leaving Newcastle at the end of their contracts this month, which leaves the Magpies with Tino Livramento as the only natural right-back option in their squad.
Lewis Hall remains the only natural left-back option in the squad, too, and Palestra can play on both sides of the defence which would give Eddie Howe plenty of flexibility.
Palestra still has three years remaining on his contract with Atalanta and would be available and he is said to have a price tag of around €45m (£38.9m).
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