adminThe 2025/26 season was a tough one for Newcastle United, ending with a 12th-place finish in the Premier League their lowest since the PIF takeover.
It was a campaign that never really settled, shaped by defensive issues, a brutal 58-game schedule, and a messy transfer window that even saw the late departure of Alexander Isak.
There were still a few positives, including a determined Champions League run and encouraging performances from Malick Thiaw, but the bigger picture told its own story.
Newcastle dropped 27 points from winning positions, a statistic that pointed to deeper problems across the squad.
As the 2026 summer window approaches, new Director of Football Ross Wilson has a major rebuilding job on his hands. He must strengthen the squad while working within strict Profit and Sustainability Rules, all while keeping Eddie Howe’s side competitive again.
A lot of the issues last season came from the structure of the team itself. Newcastle often lacked control when attacking moves broke down, leaving the backline exposed and outnumbered.
With Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth now gone and Fabian Schär entering the later stages of his career at 34, the defence looked short on both leadership and depth, especially during a difficult injury spell.
Going forward, creativity was also a problem, particularly after the £70m sale of Anthony Gordon and inconsistent output from new arrivals like Nick Woltemade, which meant Bruno Guimarães was often left carrying too much of the attacking burden with nine goals.
Against that backdrop, Newcastle have turned their attention to Marco Palestra and even submitted a formal offer.
The Atalanta wingback enjoyed a breakout 2025/26 season after impressing on loan at Cagliari, form that earned him a call-up to the Italian national team.
Inter Milan are also firmly in the race for the 21-year-old, with Liverpool and Manchester City previously linked as well. Newcastle’s interest is now clearer, but their first approach has already been turned down.
According to reports, Palestra is set to leave Atalanta this summer, with Inter currently pushing hardest for his signature.
The Milan club are confident of getting a deal done, especially with Denzel Dumfries expected to join Real Madrid, a move that would boost their transfer budget.
Inter are said to value the player at around €40m, while Atalanta are holding out for €50m a figure Newcastle are reported to have matched. Even so, the player himself is believed to prefer staying in Italy and is waiting for Inter to improve their offer.
Atalanta and Inter also maintain a strong working relationship, having done business in the past over Ademola Lookman, which could influence negotiations in Inter’s favour.
For Newcastle, the situation is becoming less straightforward. Palestra is understood to be looking for a club competing for trophies and regular European football something Newcastle can’t fully guarantee despite their Champions League involvement last season.
While he would have been viewed as a long-term solution at right wing-back and even a potential option on the left, Eddie Howe’s side may now have to move on.
In a market like this, money alone isn’t always enough, and Newcastle’s standing in the Premier League still needs to improve if they want to consistently win these kinds of battles.
There is also a growing feeling that Newcastle’s interest may be being used to push up the player’s valuation as Atalanta look to maximise their profit from the deal.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
admin