Town have renewed their interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios.

Just over a week ago, the Blues made an offer of €15 million (£12.8 million) for the Argentina international which was swiftly rebuffed by the Bundesliga side, who set their price at €35 million (£29.9 million).

Town walked away from the discussions at that point but over the weekend German reports claimed Palacios had indicated to Leverkusen that he wanted to move on, was prepared to lower his personal financial demands and would be interested in the Blues, despite earlier signals that the 27-year-old would only consider a bigger club if he were to make a switch to England.

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Town have made a new offer for Palacios and are said to be hopeful of completing a deal “in the next hours if all goes to plan”. No prospective fee is mentioned. We understand there is something in the renewed interest.

Palacios would be the biggest signing of an already very busy summer at Portman Road with the outlay having already hit the £150 million mark.

The midfielder, 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.

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