Barcelona move for second Serie A defender amid Alessandro Bastoni pursuit

Barcelona views Alessandro Bastoni as their top central defensive target for the upcoming summer transfer window, and currently, the prospect of the Inter Milan player joining Spotify Camp Nou seems quite favorable. Interestingly, he might not be the sole Serie A defender to make the move to the Catalan giants.

Beyond a new central defender, Barcelona is also assessing the need for an additional full-back. Should Joao Cancelo's loan move not become permanent, the club would face a significant lack of depth, particularly at right-back, leaving no natural alternative to support Jules Kounde.

This is where Marco Palestra enters the picture. According to reports from Nicolo Schira, corroborated by MD, Barcelona recently scouted the 21-year-old talent, who is currently on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta.

Palestra is considered a rising star in Italian football, having recently made his first two appearances for the Azzurri during the last international break. While primarily a right-back, he has also shown his ability on the left flank occasionally throughout his developing career, a versatility that enhances his appeal to Barcelona.

Strong Competition for Palestra Expected

Should Barcelona intensify their pursuit of Palestra, they would encounter considerable competition from numerous European clubs. Liverpool is reportedly interested, and Inter Milan is rumored to be allocating €35 million for their own bid – a move that could potentially be financed by Barcelona if they proceed with signing Bastoni.

Barcelona consistently values integrating young talent, making Palestra a logical consideration. However, with pressing needs for a new central defender and a striker, alongside the speculative possibility of a high-profile attacking reinforcement, it's highly improbable they will have sufficient funds to meet Atalanta's valuation, unless they manage to execute at least one substantial player sale.