Liverpool faces Newcastle and Barcelona battle for $51M-rated defender
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool is among the clubs interested in signing Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, who has been impressing on loan at Cagliari this season, with Newcastle and Barcelona also tracking himMarco Palestra is being linked with Liverpool, Newcastle and Barcelona(Image: Getty Images)Newcastle will need to act swiftly to secure Marco Palestra should the Magpies decide the young Italian is the ideal successor to Kieran Trippier, with Liverpool also in the mix.The Magpies and Trippier confirmed over the weekend that the experienced full-back would be departing St. James' Park at the end of the Premier League season, with the former England international's contract expiring after four years at the club.Newcastle has already begun making plans for a future without Trippier, casting its net across Europe in search of promising young right-backs with the potential to be a real find.
Among those on Newcastle's radar is Palestra, the 21-year-old who has been turning heads in Serie A with Cagliari this season.READ MORE: Steven Gerrard points at Luis Diaz when asked about Mohamed Salah replacementREAD MORE: Steven Gerrard 'worried' Arne Slot will lose Liverpool job as 'key' game namedPalestra has been on a season-long loan from Atalanta, where he came through the club's renowned academy. Newcastle has long kept a close eye on the Bergamo-based club and holds its young center-half Giorgio Scalvini in high regard.Palestra has swiftly established himself as one of the standout performers in Italian top-flight soccer, attracting considerable interest from across the continent.Barcelona has dispatched scouts to run the rule over the versatile defender, while Liverpool is strongly tipped to make a move for the youngster after enduring a difficult campaign on the right side of its defense this season.Palestra has broken into Italy's senior team(Image: Getty Images)Interest from Serie A is also emerging.
Juventus is among the clubs keeping a close eye on the player as it seeks to attract Italy's finest young talent.However, Atalanta would prefer to sell the player overseas should it decide to cash in on the academy product, and is setting its asking price at around £39 million ($51.7 million), fully aware that a bidding war could ensue.Palestra was quizzed about the speculation back in December, but said: "I hear a lot of rumors, but I don't think about them. I'm happy at Cagliari, and I hope to continue like this to lead the team to safety."Since then, his reputation has grown considerably.He earned his first international cap for the Azzurri as a late substitute in their World Cup playoff semifinal against Northern Ireland, before starting in the defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which brought the country's hopes to a gut-wrenching end.Palestra was one of the few Italian players to come away with any credit, however.Palestra is regarded as an outstanding modern attacking full-back, boasting pace and a commanding physical presence.He is two-footed and capable of operating on either flank, as well as pushing further up the pitch when required.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCNewcastle United FCTransfersFC Barcelona