Real Madrid News
24-year-old World Cup winner confirms Real Madrid tried to sign him in the past
Speaking in an exclusive interview with MARCA, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios has confirmed that Real Madrid tried to sign him in the past but the move collapsed due to injuries.
Palacios came through the youth ranks at River Plate in Argentina before joining Bayer Leverkusen in January 2020, where he has grown into a mainstay.
However, prior to his move to the Bundesliga, the 24-year-old midfielder, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad last year, was on Real Madrid’s radar.
Indeed, Los Blancos were reported to be interested in signing Palacios from River Plate during late 2018 or so.
And, now, the midfielder has confirmed that there was interest from the Spanish capital club, but the move ended up collapsing due to his injury problems.
“The people from Real Madrid travelled to come and check me out, but in the end it didn’t happen because of injuries,” he said.
“I’m a guy who always wants more, so I think that, if it didn’t happen, it was for a reason. I’m on the right track and it’s up to me to go far,” the Argentine international added.
Having missed out on a move to Real Madrid, Palacios has done very well since joining Leverkusen.
At just 24 years of age, the Argentine international still has a very long future ahead of him and if he keeps working there is no ruling out the possibility of Real Madrid revisiting their interest in him sometime in the future.
Although, if that proved to be the case, Palacios would have some serious competition given that Los Blancos have assembled a top-notch, young, midfield unit for the future comprising Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos.
Real Madrid’s start to the season has been nothing short of exemplary. The Merengues have won every game since the dawn of the campaign, going unbeaten over the course of six games.
However, coach Carlo Ancelotti has yet to unearth the maximum potential of his squad, as injuries to key players and some notable absentees have prevented Real Madrid from flexing their muscles.
Arriving this summer on a six-year contract, Arda Guler has not been fortuitous enough to don the Royal White jersey yet, owing to a knee injury he endured early in the pre-season tour of the US.
But after missing out on the initial stages of the campaign, his return is closer than ever.
Arda Guler aching to make his debut
Indeed, as per Diario AS, he has fully recovered from his injury and is close to playing his first match for Real Madrid.
The Turkish sensation cannot wait to play and apparently will be back with the group on Monday as he can finally shake off the rust and be reintegrated within the squad dynamics.
Guler has missed some important games in La Liga thus far, as well as the Champions League opener versus Union Berlin, which Madrid won with a late Bellingham strike.
However, the season is still long, and the 18-year-old will finally be able to participate in the upcoming matches, with El Clasico also on the horizon.
Oozing talent
After a thorough investigation, the Madrid sports management came to the conclusion that Guler would be a suitable attacking addition who is poised to fit the team dynamics like a glove.
As a result, everyone at the club is excitedly anticipating his return from injury because he will have plenty of possibilities this season.
The player garnered immense attention in the summer transfer window and Real Madrid are thus looking forward to seeing him in action.
