Manchester City face right-back transfer setback

Manchester City face a setback in their right-back transfer pursuit, with Inter Milan closing in on Marco Palestra.

The Italian champions are accelerating their pursuit of the Serie A Defender of the Year, with 'very positive contacts' between Inter and Atalanta, and an agreement now 'close' between the two clubs for about €50 million inclusive of additional bonuses.

What happened?

Manchester City had identified right-back as a position requiring reinforcement this summer, despite the strong performances of Matheus Nunes. Club bosses feel as though competition is needed in the role, and Hugo Viana is currently analysing City's first-team squad off the back of a promising season.

Why it matters for Manchester City

The Premier League club are looking to be decisive and aggressive in the summer transfer market, targeting reinforcements at right-back, central midfield, and the wide attacking positions to begin with. Incoming boss Enzo Maresca faces the challenge of maintaining the transformational style of play implemented by his predecessor, Pep Guardiola, and reestablishing the winning culture within the club.

What comes next?

A failure to recruit Palestra will force Manchester City to focus their attentions elsewhere, and the club are known to have an extensive list of options to explore in the weeks that remain in the ongoing summer market. Among those names is Feyenoord's Givairo Read, who remains very highly thought of in football circles and is also attracting admiration from Vincent Kompany and his Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich.