Reports from across the market claim that Palestra of Atalanta is expected to become one of the most expensive full-backs in football history. Internazionale is negotiating with Atalanta for this deal, with a transfer fee exceeding 50 million euros, and the final amount is likely to be around 53 million euros, including bonuses.
If this transfer goes through, Palestra will surpass Calafiori to top the list of historical transfer fees for Italian full-backs or wing-backs. Calafiori transferred from Bologna to Arsenal in 2024 for 44 million euros plus bonuses. Palestra will also become the most expensive signing in this position in Serie A, exceeding the 43 million euros Internazionale paid to Real Madrid for Achraf Hakimi. More importantly, he will also enter the top ten list of transfer fees for the same position globally, with ninth place currently held by Kyle Walker at 53 million euros.
Most expensive full-backs in football history
1. Lucás - 2019, from Atlético Madrid to Bayern Munich - 80 million euros
2. Hakimi - 2021, from Internazionale to Paris Saint-Germain - 68 million euros
3. Cucurella - 2022, from Brighton to Chelsea - 65 million euros
4. Cancelo - 2019, from Juventus to Manchester City - 65 million euros
5. Cucurella - 2026, from Chelsea to Real Madrid - 60 million euros
6. White - 2021, from Brighton to Arsenal - 58 million euros
7. Benjamin Mendy - 2017, from Monaco to Manchester City - 57.5 million euros
8. Wan-Bissaka - 2019, from Crystal Palace to Manchester United - 55 million euros
9. Walker - 2017, from Tottenham to Manchester City - 53 million euros
10. Chilwell - 2020, from Leicester City to Chelsea - 50 million euros