Manchester City have been linked with a move for Italian international Marco Palestra who has enjoyed a standout season in Serie A
Marco Palestra has been linked with a move to Manchester City on the back of a standout season in Italy
A midfielder converted to full back and then enjoying a breakthrough campaign? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Manchester City already have one midfielder who has been transformed into a right back, and they could add another this summer with the Blues holding an interest in Atalanta’s Marco Palestra.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a stunning season in Serie A, catching the eye during a loan spell at Cagliari, where, despite the Islanders finishing 14th in the table, he impressed so much he was named Serie A defender of the year and broke into the Italy squad.
It’s no surprise some of Europe’s biggest clubs are now showing an interest in the prospect, who will return to parent club Atalanta this summer. Palestra will not be short of options should he opt to move, but Atalanta, who have already agreed a deal to sell midfielder Ederson to Manchester United, will not want to offload one of Italy’s brightest talents on the cheap.
Click here to find out the latest Manchester City news in our daily newsletter
City are one of the clubs keen on the youngster, who has also been linked with Inter Milan and Arsenal. The Blues want a right back to compete with Nunes and Palestra has the added bonus of being able to play on the left flank, while he came through the ranks in Bergamo as a midfielder, only dropping back at under-17 level. That means he is comfortable collecting the ball in advanced areas and has the ability to invert into the middle.
Palestra primarily played at right back last season and is a modern full back with natural athletic ability, excellent crossing ability, and a physical profile that allows him to get up and down a flank.
He fits the bill for what City are chasing and while a rumoured £45million pricetag might be steep for a player who only really has one season of senior football under his belt, there is a belief in Italy that Palestra will only improve further.
The player himself has enjoyed his campaign and said earlier this year that he feels ready to play for a top club.
“Yes, in order to improve, you must have ambition that can take you to become a top player,” he said, speaking to DAZN. “With every game I played this season, my confidence continued to grow.
“I didn’t expect to be in the Serie A Team of the Season in my first real campaign, I never would’ve thought that at the start.”
It’s been some rise for a player who was a midfielder trying to stake a claim in Atalanta’s academy as a central midfielder only a few years ago.
“I started out playing in midfield until the Under-17s, then they had a shortage of left-backs due to injuries, so the coach put me there,” added Palestra.
“I was really angry at first, I didn’t like it, but after three games I was moved to right-back, and there I realised this could be my position.
“If I had continued as a midfielder, maybe I wouldn’t be where I am now. I wasn’t exactly someone who stood out.”
He only needs to look at Nunes for inspiration. The Portugal international is the present for City, Palestra could be the future.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
