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Tottenham Hotspur has been rejected by Marco Palestra, with the 21-year-old defender choosing Inter Milan over the Premier League club.
What happened?
Palestra had emerged as a top target for Tottenham Hotspur, with Roberto De Zerbi identifying him as the ideal right-sided reinforcement.
The young Italian's exceptional campaign on loan at Cagliari, where he featured in 37 league matches with one goal and four assists, established him as one of Serie A's most exciting defensive talents.
Why it matters for Tottenham Hotspur
The decision represents a stunning blow to De Zerbi's summer recruitment plans and another illustration of the difficulties facing a club attempting to attract elite talent during financial constraints.
Tottenham Hotspur's failure to secure Palestra's signature is a significant setback, as the club had hoped to strengthen its defense with the young Italian's arrival.
What comes next?
Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Palestra's agent travelled to Milan to finalise negotiations with Inter whilst explicitly ruling out Premier League alternatives.
The transfer fee for Palestra is reported to be around €50 million, with Inter Milan willing to commit to the deal.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 |
| League matches | 37 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Transfer fee | €50 million |
Tottenham Hotspur will now have to look elsewhere to strengthen its defense, with the summer transfer window still open.
And the club's search for a new right-back will continue, with several other targets being considered.
But for now, the focus will be on securing a deal for a top defender, with the new season just around the corner.
