Serie A side Atalanta will have Marco Palestra back in their squad next season, with the Italian impressing a lot in his ongoing loan at Cagliari.
This has seen him play for the Italian national team but it has also come with interest from a host of major clubs within the shores of Italy and even abroad.
As things stand though, Palestra will return to Atalanta in the summer. His future will be decided after that, with the versatile wing-back very much capable of playing for La Dea, even if no clubs end up signing him.
Palestra spoke to DAZN โ via Calciomercato, about his situation. He made it clear that he is ready to play for a bigger club.
โJumping to a big club? I feel ready,ย but itโs been a year where Iโve gained more confidence with every game Iโve played. I have to feel ready; everyone who plays football must haveย ambitionsย that lead them to become a top player. I donโt feel special.
โSure, I use both feet because there are some things I prefer to do with my left, like when Iโm targeting a player, but when it comes to kicking, Iโm more right-footed. Itโs natural.โ
When asked if his long-term future can lie at Atalanta, the Azzurri player responded:
โI had wonderful experiences at Atalantaย from when I was little until last year, which was my first in Serie A. I had a great time.ย Winning the Europa League? Yes, I played a game, but I donโt feel it was my own. I donโt have a medal,ย itโs another wonderful achievement they achieved; those were unique moments.โ
The 21-year-old revealed that the spell at Cagliari has changed his life and heโd love to have a season like that every year.
โItโs been a wonderful year, itโs changed my life, Iโm so happy. This will definitely be one of the best times in my life.โ
โBeing in the team of the season is something I never would have imagined at the start of the year. Iโd love for it to happen every year, but itโs not easy, there are so many high-quality players. For now, itโs fine, weโll see in the coming years.โ
While Palestra has said it now, the wing-back has actually been ready for months now. That is why Rino Gattuso trusted him enough to play for the Azzurri and that is why Inter also see him as a key target.
While Atalanta may not play in Europe, they are a clear step-up from Cagliari. If Palestra stays and does well for them, it will be enough to prove that he can hold his own at the highest level.
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Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
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