Outside of beefing up their midfield, signing a right-back is high on the list of priorities for Manchester City. Atalanta’s impressive young right-back Marco Palestra is a player who has been named as a potential target for City. It has now been reported that Marco Palestra has agreed personal terms with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. That is a good sign for Manchester City; however, Atalanta’s asking price to sell Palestra does loom as a stumbling block. Perhaps City are edging closer to solving their right-back conundrum if they can agree on a transfer fee with Atalanta for Palestra.
Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Marco Palestra.
FC Inter News has reported that Marco Palestra has agreed to personal terms with Manchester City. Furthermore, it is also reported that Inter Milan retains an interest in signing Palestra this summer. It is also reported that Atalanta are demanding €50 million plus at least €5 million in add-ons to sell Palestra. Currently, that price is deemed too high by Manchester City and Newcastle United, it is also reported. Inter Milan also regard Atalanta’s asking price for Palestra as too high and are looking into alternative transfer targets to the promising young right-back.
Marco Palestra ticks the boxes required to be a City player, however Atalanta’s asking price may be a sticking point.
As a player, Marco Palestra ticks the boxes required to be a Manchester City player. In possession, Palestra is exceptionally strong and his ability to progress the ball with his dribbling and passing does seem suited to playing in a City side which is expected to be managed by Enzo Maresca. Palestra can play as an inverted full-back or as a wing-back, so his versatility is another string to his bow. With his quality in possession, Palestra would be a valuable attacking option for City if they did sign him. Defensively, Palestra is solid with plenty of scope to improve. He is also a tall right-back who looks physically suited to playing in the Premier League.
If, as reported, Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Marco Palestra, they have one box ticked in their bid to sign him. The issue is Atalanta’s asking price to sell the in-demand right-back. It already figures to be an expensive transfer window for City given their need to sign two ready-made midfielders. Whether or not City will go big to sign Palestra as well may not be known for some time yet. Atalanta are tough negotiators in the transfer market, so finding a suitable deal for Palestra will be no simple task for Hugo Viana.
Manchester City may be close to solving the right-back conundrum they have had for some time. Reportedly, City have agreed personal terms with Marco Palestra. However, one stumbling block remains, which is Atalanta’s asking price, and if that hurdle is overcome, City may land the right-back they need to provide cover and competition for Matheus Nunes.
