Palacios Negotiations 'On Hold'
Thursday, 13th Aug 2026 22:10

Town’s rebuffed offer to Bayer Leverkusen for Argentina international midfielder Exequiel Palacios was €20 million (£17 million), according to a German report.

Over the weekend, it emerged that Town had made a bid for the 27-year-old having initially been linked earlier in the month.

On Tuesday, reports from Argentina indicated that that offer had been rejected with Leverkusen said to want €35 million (£29.9 million) for the World Cup winner, although later German reports claimed they are after €40 million (£34.2 million).

Sky Germany is now reporting that the Blues’ £17 million offer was dismissed as far too low by Leverkusen, who subsequently put negotiations on hold.

However, it’s claimed the player himself is keen on a move to the Premier League and has indicated that to the Bundesliga side. Previous stories had suggested Palacios wasn’t interested in Town and if he were to move to England he would be looking for a bigger club.

Bundesliga RB Leipzig are among the other sides also believed to be keen.

Palacios, who began his career with River Plate in his home country, won the World Cup in 2022 and was in the side which lost this year’s final last month. In total, he has won 41 full caps.

He is contracted to Leverkusen, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2023/24, until the summer of 2030.

Meanwhile, Town are being linked with 20-year-old Manchester City central defender Juma Bah.

According to Alan Nixon, the Blues have spoken to City regarding the 20-year-old, but with the Etihad club wanting £15 million up front plus a further £10 million in add-ons.

Bah Joined City from Real Valladolid in January 2025, subsequently spending loan spells with Lens and Nice in France. The Sierra Leone international is yet to make an appearance for his parent club with whom he is contracted until 2031.

Photo: Stefan Koops - EYE4IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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BurnBabyBurns added 22:32 - Aug 13 I personally think he could be worth the financial risk. 5 years at River Plate, 6 years at Leverkusen. Over 40 first team caps for Argentina (2nd best team in the world-ish). Consistent performer stats-wise and not injury prone. Style of play suits the Prem! Get on the blower again Mark! Push the boat out and get him for £25 mill GBP! COYB!
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apnorman23 added 22:40 - Aug 13 Avoid at Maximum Cost.Go for Harvey Elliott and also Wam Bisaka at West Ham. As for the striker back up. Jamie Vardy on a free before others bag him for 1 year
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Ipswichbusiness added 22:54 - Aug 13 On the subject of defenders, apparently Ruben Amorim at AC Milan has told Tomori that he is surplus to requirements. That could be a good buy.
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TomCruise added 23:32 - Aug 13 Nothing guaranteed of course, and, this will be a difficult deal to realise but it’s starting to have the rumblings of something that actually might happen and I’ve got a small throb developing in my underpants.
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cooper4england added 23:33 - Aug 13 Jamie Vardy..... That's the best comment so far. Cheeky bid, have a go. Offer remains open but too injury prone to break the back. Not worth the risk.
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cooper4england added 23:33 - Aug 13 Bank
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londonben added 23:36 - Aug 13

BurnBabyBurns - “not injury prone”, the most games he’s ever started in a season is 21, and that’s the only time he did over 20. Last season he missed 155 days and 28 matches due to three separate injuries. By many accounts his injury record is one of the reasons not many other club are interested (apparently). Not the right option I think, particularly as he doesn’t seem to want to come.

blueoxford added 23:54 - Aug 13 I may be wrong, but have a suspicion that we might be being used by his agents to strike a deal with Leverkusen only for another more established Premier League side to come in and highjack the deal..
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itfc2024 added 06:34 - Aug 14 ive seen this player play live and you can see his quality i think we could strike a deal this could be the player that keeps us in the premier league
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JewellintheTown added 07:06 - Aug 14 I don't think we were ever really serious about Palacios, hench a lower bid. I'd say it was to nudge Strasbourg into concluding a deal & a "good if we get him" kind of offer. Meanwhile it unnerves Palacios into a move & drives up his price for other Premier league teams where he wants to go to now. Mind games going on.
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JewellintheTown added 07:06 - Aug 14 I don't think we were ever really serious about Palacios, hench a lower bid. I'd say it was to nudge Strasbourg into concluding a deal & a "good if we get him" kind of offer. Meanwhile it unnerves Palacios into a move & drives up his price for other Premier league teams where he wants to go to now. Mind games going on.
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Blue_Heath added 07:11 - Aug 14

I don't recall him standing out at the world cup, in fact I don't even remember him at all. Personally one to avoid I think given his comments plus we just signed two similar CM's albeit maybe not as good as the 'world cup winner'. Argentinian midfield players a bit hit and miss see Veron, Di Maria etc plus from above seems to only play half a season. Move on and focus on a striker please Towen.

Monkey_Blue added 07:17 - Aug 14

He’s reportedly on €120,000 a week… he will want a pay rise as well I assume. I’ve also mentioned we have 3 players who can play as a defensive midfielder including last seasons POTY. Another striker is more of a priority. I also would prefer not to have the baggage that will come
With having a player from that Argentina squad at the club. This seems like a lot of money for someone who is a good player but doesn’t seems desperate positional need.

mathiemagic added 07:44 - Aug 14 I hope I am proved wrong, but our defence looks again to be our weakest link, so even with Messi up front, were going to struggle if we don't strengthen there.
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:37 - Aug 14 Im just thinking we need a striker ,but offloading some of our players isnt going as well as id hoped hopefully this will be an active week so we can get our act together from the off .
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blues1 added 08:56 - Aug 14 Mathuemagic. How does our defence look a weak link again? The fact the only one of our keepers whos had a save to make so far, is Palmer, suggests otherwise. Do think we need another cb however as Kipre not good enough should anyone get injured or suspended. Im not counting the Oxford/Wycombe games btw, due to the makeup of the 2 teams we put out that day.
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Tractorboy58 added 09:44 - Aug 14 surely with the 2 new signings we have enough - and not sure I want a player who does not see us as big enough for him. We need players who when cut open bleed blue !
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Tractorboy58 added 09:44 - Aug 14 surely with the 2 new signings we have enough - and not sure I want a player who does not see us as big enough for him. We need players who when cut open bleed blue !
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blues1 added 10:56 - Aug 14 So what does "on hold"actually mean? In effect, they've rejected our 1st bid, so waiting for us to decide whether to go in with another bid, or not. Just like a deall is done "in principle" basically means the deal is done, bar the medical. Just pointless phrases really.
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barcelonablue2 added 11:47 - Aug 14

Guess on hold is because other deals have advanced more quickly or become available and so maybe it is no longer pole position on the table for the club and the delay forces others hands.

Not saying we are getting him but for example Yousef Fofana the AC Milan midfielder IS available for 20m euros and similar wages.

If we were only club in the race and one deal can be deal for 20m and the other will be 30+ add ons minimum it is likely you would count your eggs before progressing with either. Also likely other midfielders have become available as the market shifts and transfers happen.

The fact player - supposedly - has said he wants to move to Prem also means he will get itchy bum syndrome and help push Leverkusen's hand from his side also if we are only option on the table.

Like all transfers though its pretty much likely 90% all hot air in order to make a man who kicks a ball around a very wealthy man.

blueboy1981 added 12:00 - Aug 14 Move on !
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Bluedocker added 12:07 - Aug 14 Blue Heath ... Look at what Elliot Anderson did for England at the world cup.. I thought he was the best player for England but only the bigger names get mentioned..
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Bazza8564 added 12:14 - Aug 14

I think people are paying far too much attention to the German press comments, which are designed to do nothing than attract attention.y belief is that an opening offer is simply the start of the process and that something in the £25m range lands the player.
No way are we wasting our time on a player who says he won’t come here, I have a feeling this deal happens for 30m euros

PortmanTerrorist added 12:37 - Aug 14

Bit odd this one. After mistakes putting the bank on injury prone players like Kalvin Phillips, it has been noticeable we have been targeting reliable and regular performers who do not have any injury question marks; even Enciso has proved his fitness. Bid level probably reflects that question mark. Put simply its a gamble...one am a little surprised we are willing to take....IF this is true...which I doubt.

BurleyJefferson added 12:58 - Aug 14 I wonder if KM is feeling miffed with the level of investment. Would he have left if he was aware of the treasure chest available ?
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