- Newcastle interested in sought-after Serie A star
- Magpies ready to break the bank for Marco Palestra
- Why Palestra may be the perfect Tino Livramento replacement
Newcastle United are reportedly heavily interested in bringing in 21-year-old Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra to the club this summer.
The club are said to be ready to break the bank and sign Palestri no matter the cost, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Palestra has been on loan at Cagliari this season, making 37 appearances in Serie A, and is now attracting attention from clubs all over Europe. The Italian can also play as a wing-back in a back five, which may endear him to Eddie Howe.
The right-back will return to his parent club this summer, who could be looking to raise some funds to aid their financial standing. Palestra is available for around £35m-£40m as a result.
Newcastle United targeting Palestra
There are a plethora of clubs interested in signing Palestra. The likes of Inter Milan are circling to poach the full-back of their Serie A rivals, and there are multiple top-end Premier League clubs also eyeing up a possible move.
Right-back is a position of interest for the Magpies this summer, with Kieran Trippier having left the club for Wolves at the end of his contract. Tino Livramento is also a possible departure during the window, which will leave the club without a recognised senior right-back in the squad.
There has been an influx of cash due to the Gordon sale, and it is thought that Newcastle are prepared to spend a chunk of that on their defence if Livramento does leave and the club needs to find a new first-choice option.
Of course, the barrier of not having European football next year does create some difficulties in agreeing terms with the player. Palestri does have other offers that appear more attractive and can give him Champions League football.
What would Palestri bring to Tyneside?
The one thing Livramento has been criticised for during his time at Newcastle is the lack of threat going forward. Palestra would bring a lot more impetus in those areas.
The Italian managed four assists in Serie A and has a creative ball-carrying ability that makes him often appear like a natural winger when in the opposition’s final third.
Palestra pairs this with relentless running, which sees him rarely caught out of position, and an excellent defensive base that enables him to play in a variety of systems, from a low block to a man-to-man high press.
Whilst there are, of course, some areas to improve, given that Palestra is only 21, the ability he has shown thus far suggests his ceiling is very high and he will only continue to improve wherever he ends up.
