‘Injury Foiled the Deal’ – World Cup-Winning Argentine Player Opens Up About Unsuccessful Transfer to Real Madrid

Palacios’ Near Move to Real Madrid and Working Under Xabi Alonso

Exequiel Palacios, now 24, was poised to be a part of Real Madrid’s burgeoning young core that includes talents like Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and others. A former standout at River Plate, Palacios had caught the attention of top clubs before moving to Bayer Leverkusen for €17 million in 2020. However, his journey nearly took him to Real Madrid in January.

Recalling the past, Palacios revealed, “The representatives from Real Madrid came to conduct a medical with me, but due to injury, it ultimately didn’t materialize. I’m someone who always seeks more, so I believe that if the transfer didn’t happen, it was for a reason. I’m on the right path, and the responsibility lies with me to achieve great things.”

Presently, Palacios is honing his skills under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, a figure many anticipate to ascend to the role of Real Madrid’s manager in the future. Describing Alonso’s coaching approach, Palacios shared, “He’s a coach who lives and breathes football with immense passion. Every training session is treated as if it’s the last one. He strives to extract the maximum potential from each player consistently.”

Real Madrid has strategically expanded its footprint in the South American transfer market, with recent acquisitions such as Endrick Felipe. Despite this, their focus has primarily centered on securing forwards who can bring a distinct edge to the squad, as opposed to midfielders or defenders. This strategic approach aligns with the club’s ambitions to fortify its squad with talents capable of making a significant impact.