Inter Milan are confident they will be able to close a deal with Atalanta to sign Marco Palestra for 50 million euros. However, The Athletic reports that Chelsea and another Premier League club are not giving up on the race for the right-back. Palestra made a significant impact during his loan spell at Cagliari and returned ready for the next step in his career. For months, Inter have had him as their main option to replace Denzel Dumfries, who is on his way to Real Madrid, with a release clause of around 20 million euros. Palestra's agent has been in Milan since yesterday for intensive negotiations, and the player has also expressed his preference for Inter over a move to the Premier League. According to Sky Sport Italia, Inter have today presented a formal proposal of personal terms to their representative. Atalanta appear willing to accept the offer of 45 million euros, plus 5 million in variables, but The Athletic insist the deal is not yet done. David Ornstein maintains that Chelsea and another Premier League club remain in contention, ready to present a better bid to challenge Inter. It has been reported that the other English club involved in the dispute is Manchester City, while interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur has never really intensified.
