Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are plotting a move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios, with Erik ten Hag facing another key exit.
- Fenerbahce preparing €20m bid for Palacios
- Mourinho wants Argentine as midfield reinforcement
- Ten Hag facing uphill battle to stabilise squad
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WHAT HAPPENED?
According to GOAL sources, Fenerbahce are preparing a €20 million (£17m/$22m) offer for Leverkusen’s Palacios. The Turkish giants, led by new sporting director Devin Ozek, are willing to structure the deal as a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy. The Argentine has been identified as a priority target for Mourinho’s midfield rebuild ahead of their Champions League playoff against Benfica next week.
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- AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Die Werkself have already suffered a mass exodus this summer, losing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, Odilon Kossounou to Atalanta, Lukas Hradecky to Monaco, and Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich. With Ten Hag just beginning his reign, losing Palacios would deepen the rebuilding challenge. The 26-year-old played a key role in Leverkusen’s remarkable 2024 Bundesliga triumph, going unbeaten throughout the entire campaign. Given their depleted squad, the German club may prefer reinforcements over further departures.
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TELL ME MORE…
Palacios joined Leverkusen from River Plate in January 2020 for €22m (£18m/$24m). In 108 Bundesliga appearances, he has scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists. Though not always a guaranteed starter, he has been a consistent squad contributor. Fenerbahce want him integrated quickly to boost their European push.
- Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT?
Fenerbahce aim to seal a deal before their Champions League play-off first leg against Benfica. Leverkusen face Sonnenhof in the DFB-Pokal before opening the Bundesliga season against Hoffenheim on August 23.
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