Dumfries activated his €20-25 million release clause to join Real Madrid this week, ending a five-year spell at San Siro that included two Champions League finals. Inter moved immediately to identify his successor, and the choice has been Palestra — the 21-year-old Atalanta academy product who spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Cagliari, making 37 appearances and earning his first senior Italy caps.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter's current offer stands at €45 million plus bonuses. Atalanta are holding firm on a valuation of €55 million, with Palestra's representatives indicating he would prefer Inter over both Newcastle United and a host of other Premier League clubs that have registered interest, including Arsenal and Manchester City.
Inter had hoped to sweeten the deal by including young defender Matteo Cocchi, but Atalanta were not sufficiently convinced by the 2007-born talent to accept him as part of the package.
The gap — €10 million at present — is significant but not unbridgeable. If Inter cannot close it, the dominoes could fall elsewhere: reports suggest Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus is being lined up as an alternative, while a failure to land Palestra could push midfielder Davide Frattesi toward Juventus as part of a separate negotiation.
The Veerman situation is at an earlier stage. The 27-year-old Holland international was the standout midfielder in the Eredivisie last season, recording eight goals and 15 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for a PSV side that finished second behind Ajax. Inter Milan have been tracking him for several months, with his release clause structure — a figure around €23-25 million — making him an obtainable target relative to his level of output.
Veerman appeared close to a January move to Fenerbahce before publicly committing to PSV through the rest of the season.
"In the past few weeks many stories have been circulating, and with this announcement we want to bring clarity," he said at the time.
"I wish everyone a wonderful end to 2025; from the new year, with the whole group, we will give our all to make the second half of the season unforgettable."
His situation is now open again. Liverpool's interest under Arne Slot had cooled following the Dutchman's exit from Anfield, and Inter are positioned as one of several suitors weighing a move that would address a midfield that may lose Frattesi this summer regardless of how the Palestra deal resolves.
Two deals, two different stages, one shared motivation — Inter reshaping a squad that just won Serie A and the Coppa Italia, and have no intention of standing still.