SOURCES: Manchester United Yet To Make Any Contact Over Exequiel Palacios
Manchester United are expected to spend in the summer if they can manoeuvre their way in and around the FFP situation surrounding the club at the moment, and one of the clubs they have an undeniable interest in is Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, Exequiel Palacios. The Argentine midfielder is appreciated internally by the club and will be one of the names United will look to perhaps bring into the club this summer under the new regime of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Palacios has been a key cog in Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side this year as they have reached February unbeaten in all competitions. They are currently eight points clear at the top of the table, with previous champions Bayern Munich trailing them at this moment in time. It looks like Palacios will be a German champion come May, barring any major collapse from his side between now and then.
Manchester United Yet To Make Contact:
Manchester United are interested in Exequiel Palacios, but we understand no contact has been made between the clubs as of yet. United are unlikely to begin properly making contact for players for several weeks, with INEOS 25% purchase of the club only officially being announced last night.
There is no guarantee Palacios will be the man United move for, but there is certainly interest in his signature behind the scenes. Amadou Onana is someone United admire, and if Everton’s points deduction remains valid in the coming days there could be a scenario where the club have to move on the Belgian midfielder in the summer window. £50million has been the price quoted in the media for Onana.
Who Is Palacios?
Palacios has played for Leverkusen since 2020, having signed from River Plate in the January window for a fee of €17million. He has made 28 appearances for his national team Argentina, with three of those coming in the 2022 World Cup as they lifted the trophy.
He is best suited as a deep defensive six. Palacios has a great range of passing and good progression with the ball from attack to defence. He has been a key component of the Alonso system when he has played this season but is currently out injured with a muscle strain.
When compared to Casemiro based on this season, Palacios averages more progressive passes per 90 with 7.79 compared to 6.48. This is something Erik ten Hag will be looking to improve going into next season in the six position, as Casemiro has struggled to progress the ball at times for his side. The Argentine also boasts an impressive 91.6% completion rate on his passing, beating Casemiro’s 82.6%.
When comparing the two players defensively, they are quite similar. Casemiro averages more tackles per game and also wins 0.46 more tackles in 90 minutes than Palacios. The Leverkusen midfielder however does win more tackles and interceptions combined per game, which may be something Erik ten Hag looks towards when seeking improvement in his midfield.
Athleticism is something United have lacked this season as well as pace in the middle of the park. The former River Plate man does boast speed having clocked a top pace of 32.86km this campaign. Impressive numbers.
No contact as of yet from club to club, but United are interested and he is one to keep an eye on this summer.
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