Manchester City may 'attempt' to sign Italy international Marco Palestra with Enzo Maresca at the helm
Ciaran McCarthy
Manchester City could 'attempt' to lure in Italy international Marco Palestra, reports Gianluca Di Marzio, now that his compatriot, Enzo Maresca, is joining the club.
It's been a whirlwind last half day for City. While Arsenal were beating Burnley to take a five-point lead in the Premier League title race, news broke that elite manager Pep Guardiola will leave the Etihad at the end of the season.
For months, it's been suggested his former assistant and more recently Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca, is the only man in the thinking to replace him. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Italian will sig a three-year deal to take the reins City.
His first signing could be a fellow Italian, too. Insider Di Marzio reports to Tuttomercatoweb that City 'might decide to make an attempt' to sign Palestra, the Italy international right-back currently playing for Cagliari on loan from Atalanta.
His parent club are reportedly waiting to see what offers come in from the Premier League and they could be sent one by one of its juggernauts.
It was recently suggested City want a long-term refresh at right-back, and Palestra, a 21-year-old internationally-capped defender with one goal and four assists in a breakout season, could clearly have success.
Inter Milan linked with Palestra
There could be competition for the signing of the wide man, who might have the chance to remain in Italy. Indeed, Di Marzio also touched on Inter Milan's summer plans, in which Como's Nico Paz is a large part.
On the right flank, the insider states the 'dream' signing is undeclared, but he names Palestra as a potential signing.
He also suggests that €40million (£34.7m) may not be enough for the 21-year-old, and that seems to be why Atalanta are waiting for Premier League clubs, who could pay higher fees than sides in Italy will.
City are one of the highest-paying clubs in the world, so if they are indeed interested in Palestra, that could be Atalanta's best chance of securing a large sum.
There is no suggestion in the report of what City would pay for him, or even if their interest is concrete, but with Maresca joining the club, the signing of an young Italian star certainly has interesting potential.
