Chelsea are in talks over a deal to signal Italian fullback Marco Palestra from Atalanta this summer time, in line with Nicolo Schira.
Palestra has emerged as one of the thrilling younger fullbacks not solely in Serie A but in addition throughout European soccer following a breakthrough marketing campaign final season.
What started as a mortgage transfer to Cagliari to offer cowl for Gabriel Zappa shortly reworked into one thing way more vital, with the 20-year-old seizing a daily beginning berth and occurring to seem in 37 of their 38 league matches below Fabio Pisacane and performed a vital position in securing survival as Cagliari completed 9 factors away from the relegation zone.
His spectacular performances at membership degree had been sufficient to earn him a call-up to the Italy squad in the course of the March worldwide break below Gennaro Gattuso, the place he marked his arrival on the worldwide stage with a debut look within the World Cup play-off fixtures towards Northern Eire and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Having established himself at each membership and worldwide ranges, Palestra is anticipated to draw vital consideration this summer time, with a number of golf equipment, together with Chelsea, set to battle for his signature.
It seems Chelsea wish to trump rivals to signal the 21-year-old, as Nicolo Schira studies that the London giants have opened talks with Palestra’s entourage in latest weeks to debate his potential switch to Stamford Bridge this summer time.
Palestra to Chelsea
With a contract on the Stadio di Bergamo that runs till 2029, Atalanta are in a robust negotiating place, and it’s no shock Schira provides that the Bergamo-based outfit have positioned a valuation between £43 and £47m on the Italian worldwide.
Whereas Inter have a pre-agreement with Palestra, the Italian champions’ provide falls wanting Atalanta’s calls for, in line with the journalist, which may give the free-spending Chelsea a bonus within the race.
Final season, Palestra’s 7.24 duels gained per sport showcased simply how dependable he’s in one-on-one conditions. In whole, he gained an impressive 248 duels, 62 greater than Joao Pedro, whose 186 duels gained had been probably the most by any Chelsea participant final season.
Palestra’s technical qualities are equally spectacular, with an 85.1% go completion charge and 70 profitable dribbles, demonstrating each his composure in possession and his potential to progress the ball, attributes that may make him a robust match for Xabi Alonso’s model of play.
Nevertheless, with Schira reporting that Palestra prefers to stay in Italy amid curiosity from Inter Milan, it’ll be fascinating to see if Chelsea can persuade the fullback to affix them this summer time.
