Inter’s transfer woes deepen as Palestra chooses Chelsea over Nerazzurri

Inter President Beppe Marotta warned that the defending Serie A champions must find a new right‑back after Denzel Dumfries left for Real Madrid in a €20m deal, while Marco Palestra signed for Chelsea despite a verbal agreement with Inter. The loss leaves a clear gap ahead of the pre‑season start on Monday.

Marotta joined coach Cristian Chivu for a press conference on Monday, the first day of the Nerazzurri pre‑season. The club used the occasion to outline its recruitment priorities.

Marotta said Marco Palestra “backed out of a verbal agreement” with Inter after signing for Chelsea. He added that the defender’s agent “could have steered him in a different direction”, a comment made via FcInternews.

Inter are still hunting a right‑back to replace Denzel Dumfries, who departed for Real Madrid in a €20m transfer. The club stresses the need to keep wage costs under control while targeting affordable talent.

A second target, Anan Khalaili, failed his medical, collapsing a €25m transfer from Union Saint‑Gilloise. Marotta confirmed the deal has fallen apart.

Inter will open their 2026‑27 Serie A campaign at home against Monza on August 22. The match follows three Serie A titles under Marotta’s presidency, including the 2025‑26 triumph under Chivu.

A photo taken in Parma, Italy, on April 05 shows Giuseppe Marotta, Chairman of FC Internazionale, at Stadio Ennio Tardini. The image is credited to Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images and features the Italian club’s branding, with references to Cagliari, February, US Lecce at Sant’Elia, and Enrico Locci/Getty.