Manchester City and Real Madrid are both keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen midfield sensation Exequiel Palacios.
According to a report from El Intransigente, Exequiel Palacios could be on the move this summer as European giants Manchester City and Real Madrid are interested in acquiring his services. His consistent performances at Bayer Leverkusen have caught the attention of both clubs, and they are gearing up to make a move.
Palacios, who was a part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad in 2022, has been a part of the Leverkusen setup since 2020 since joining them from River Plate. He has only gone from strength to strength over the years and has been one of the mainstays of late.
While he prefers playing as a central midfielder, he can feature in an attacking as well as a defensive role if needed. He has featured in a total of 33 matches this season and has contributed towards seven goals.
His consistent performances for Xabi Alonso’s team and his ability to contribute on both ends of the pitch have placed him on the wishlist of Manchester City and Real Madrid. The Premier League giants want to freshen things up in their midfield.
Pep Guardiola wants more quality in midfield
They want more competition in the centre of the park and consider Palacios an ideal fit for Pep Guardiola’s system. He is dynamic, and has the vision and the ability to win balls back. The 26-year-old can play a similar role to that of Ilkay Gundogan.
The Argentine’s vision and ability to link up with the forwards could prove invaluable. While signing him won’t be easy, as Leverkusen consider him an integral part of their plans and they will demand a fortune, City have the financial strength to make a competitive offer.
Real Madrid could rival City
But they might face competition from Spanish giants, Real Madrid. The departure of Toni Kroos and the inconsistent performances of Aurelien Tchouameni have caused a lot of problems for the team in white. They want to have more quality options in midfield and consider Palacios a great option for their project.
However, the high cost of the operation could be a problem for Los Blancos. As a result, they are considering making Tchouameni a part of the deal to lower the financial burden. It could certainly help them in their pursuit, but it will be interesting to see if Leverkusen will be open to such a deal.