Real Madrid pushing hardest for Palacios says agent
Renato Corsi, the Argentine player's representative, says several European clubs have stated an interest - including Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Renato Corsi, agent to River Plate's in demand midfielder Exequiel Palacios spoke to AS this week about the player's future and Sunday's Copa Libertadores final return leg against Boca Juniors which will be played at the stadium which could soon become his new home, the Santiago Bernabéu. “As a lifelong River fan and player who has spent a decade at the club, he wants the final to be played at the Monumental, in Argentina. But in light of the problems the other week, he's happy to play the game at a great stadium like the Bernabéu and in such a beautiful country as Spain. Hopefully it will all go well for him and he will end up playing for Real Madrid”, Corsi told AS.
Numerous enquiries about Palacios, says agent
“We've received phonecalls from Inter, Roma, Wolfsburg… A lot of clubs have shown an interest but the one who are really pushing hard for Palacios is Real Madrid. Due to the aftermath of the River–Boca return leg being postponed, presidents from both clubs haven't been able to talk about the matter yet. Real Madrid have comported themselves really well with us, both with my and my partner. The two clubs will sit down to talk properly after the final, there will be a few meetings regarding Palacios in Madrid over the next few days”, the agent continued.
FC Barcelona sent out scouts to compile a technical report on Exequiel Palacios but talks didn't go any further. “With Barça, contact was made but talks didn't advance. Zanetti called me… But the club who have shown more interest than anyone is Real Madrid…”, Corsi added, who says the 20-year-old has only recently started making a name for himself.
Opportunity to sign for Torino turned down
“A year and a half ago, he had the chance to join Torino but we didn't feel he was ready to make the leap to playing in Europe and so he stayed at River. After that Marcelo [Gallardo] started given him a more prominent role in the side and he now he's performing to a high level. It's down to the player's efforts and thanks to the coach that we are seeing the player he is today”, the agent continued. “We've been working with Exequiel since he was a five-year-old; he's a very unasuming, humble person - like the rest of his familia. He's always played that way, just like he does today. Of course in the past 12 months he's started showing more attitude. All of his progress is down to Marcelo Gallardo, who has been helping his develpment step by step”.
