Liverpool eye £39m deal to end right-back crisis

Liverpool have endured hardship on the injury front this season - especially at right-back.

Arne Slot has been without Conor Bradley since January owing to a serious leg injury while Jeremie Frimpong has been in and out of the side at right-back due to his own fitness concerns.

The Dutchman has had to use Joe Gomez and even midfielders like Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones in the position as the club struggle to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold on a consistent basis.

Right-back could well be an area that FSG look to strengthen in the summer and the name of one young Serie A star is beginning to emerge on the radar.

Marco Palestra, 21, is on loan at Cagliari this season from Atalanta and it is shaping up to be a big summer for the Italian international.

Marco Palestra: Situation summary

Marco Palestra is a 21-year-old Italian right-back/wing-back currently starring for Cagliari on loan from Atalanta, having come through La Dea’s academy after early spells with GS Assago and Inter.

Originally a central midfielder then winger, he has settled as an attack-minded full-back, which underpins his profile as a modern wide defender.

His game is built on progressive carries, 1v1 ability and two-footedness, comfortable receiving wide, combining short, and then driving up the flank before delivering improving crosses.

He ranks extremely high for progressive carries and take-ons, and can go outside or inside, making him difficult to read in the final third.

Tactically, he is disciplined in a back four or wing-back system, reading spacing well and tracking runners reliably rather than defending on chaos.

Contract-wise, Palestra is on loan at Cagliari until June 2026, with Atalanta holding his rights and valuing him around €35–40m amid serious interest from Juventus, Roma, Inter and Premier League sides like Arsenal.

Barring a renewal and reintegration at Atalanta, a big-club Serie A move currently looks his most likely next step.

Liverpool want £39m deal for Palestra

According to a report in TEAMtalk Liverpool are one of a clutch of clubs interested in adding Palestra as a long-term option in the summer transfer window.

“Liverpool are in the mix to sign him this summer,” the report reads.

“The Bergamo club value their academy product at a minimum of €45 million (£39.2m / $52m), viewing him as a potential long-term asset or a high-value sale.

“Liverpool are tracking him closely, seeing the versatile full-back as both squad depth and a long-term solution.”

This has been a breakout season for Palestra - who has made 29 Serie A starts for his loan club.

The report mentions Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace as potentially interested teams in the Premier League.

Serie A sides Inter Milan and Juventus are also thought to be keen - along with AC Milan, Napoli, Roma and Spanish side Barcelona.

So Liverpool are not going to have it all their own way in the £39m transfer fight for Palestra - who is shaping up to be the next big sale from Atalanta.

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