Second Palacios Bid 'Rejected'
Tuesday, 18th Aug 2026 13:42

Town’s second offer for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios has been turned down, according to German reports.

Just over a week ago, the Blues made an offer of €15 million (£12.8 million) for the Argentina international, which was swiftly rebuffed by the Bundesliga side, who set their price at €35 million (£29.9 million).

Town stepped away from the discussions but over the weekend German reports claimed Palacios had indicated to Leverkusen that he wanted to move on, was prepared to lower his personal financial demands and would be interested in the Blues, despite earlier signals that the 27-year-old would only consider a bigger club if he were to make a switch to England.

Earlier today, Fabrizio Romano reported that Town had made a new offer and were hopeful that a deal could be done.

However, highly regarded German football magazine Kicker is now reporting that that bid has also been rejected having been only slightly higher than the initial offer.

German Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg says the new bid was just over €20 million and quotes an internal source at the Bundesliga club: “We are miles apart.”

Argentinian news organisation Medio River say they expect the Blues to come back with another offer in the hours to come and a deal subsequently concluded.

If the move were to be agreed, Palacios would be the most eye-catching addition of an already very busy summer at Portman Road, with the outlay having already hit the £150 million mark, and probably the highest profile signing in the club’s history.

The midfielder, who began his career with River Plate in his home country, won the World Cup in 2022 and was in the side which lost this year’s final last month. In total, he has won 41 full caps.

He is contracted to Leverkusen, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2023/24, until the summer of 2030.

Photo: Stefan Koops - EYE4IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1
2

dubblue added 16:25 - Aug 18 Just curious why no other PL club is interested in him? Could it be his recent injury record?? Yes this signing has massive potential but we need to consider if this is the best use of what must be at this stage a limited transfer budget are we still in the hunt for a striker?
1

Guillermo_Edwards added 16:26 - Aug 18

Suspect this will rumble on, and I think SW has mentioned we're looking at other options at the same time, with Youssouf Fofana mentioned. Both Fofana and Palacios are worth around £21m according to Transfermarkt (I know). You'd think Leverkusen are high-balling it at £30m. Presumably, £25m would do it. Clearly a step up in quality, but his injury record worries me.

ChingShady added 16:59 - Aug 18 Ohhhh Ipswich, you got me singing the bluessss! Cheer up folks, on both sides.
0

FarnboroBlue added 16:59 - Aug 18 JewellintheTown - Interesting about O'Callaghan - I do remember him signing being an exciting time, because he was bit of a wonder kid at Millwall and we hadn't signed anyone for eons. Sir Bob only signed 18 senior players in his 13 years which is insane compared to this window! That 18 doesn't include O'Callaghan as he was classed as a yoof.
0

ChingShady added 17:04 - Aug 18 I honestly think it will be around 25mil but with addons up to 30mil ish with ofc a clause on the sell on price probably 20-30% to Bayer. Palacios knows this is probably a stepping stone to a bigger club if he performs, or he happily play out his contract with us.
0

jas0999 added 17:11 - Aug 18 If we get this one done and a top level striker … wow.
0

Dissboyitfc added 17:28 - Aug 18

Jewllinthetown… can’t think there will be many disagree that this indeed would be the highest profile signing in the clubs history. The names you mention went onto become club legends, frans wasn’t well known and didn’t become a household name until after he joined us. Allan hunter wasn’t well known either a third division player with Blackburn Paul mariner wasn’t a big name when he signed for us, a relative unknown plying his trade with Plymouth. All the players you mention went on to become very good players/ legends with the exception of Kevin O’Callahan, they were not World Cup winners like Palacios.

Ebantiass added 17:40 - Aug 18 Move to another target, we have had a fantastic window and bought many more than i feared ,and for that many should be thanked. I know many won't agree with me but now we should a good go and let GON see where we should use the remaining funds
2

overtheline added 17:59 - Aug 18 Undoubted ability and an excellent career. Unfortunately he’s a member of the disgraceful Argentina team at the World Cup. Chelsea fans have booed Fernandez. Would you want him in a Town shirt? Remember what Sir Alf called them in 1966. Leopards and spots.
1

armchaircritic59 added 18:06 - Aug 18

WorcesterBlue, I've only ever seen him play once, so nothing to go on there, if you've seen more than you're better placed to judge on that particular score than me. I have looked at his stats over the past year, they don't make great reading, but it's not always wise to take them as gospel when a player is in and out with injuries ( you correctly point them out ). In this case, being short of much in the way of concrete evidence one way or another, I'm happy to leave it up to recruitment, who with our shiny new dashboard, have probably found things they very much like. I guess you don't get to be a 41 capped Argentinian international without having something about you. If the price is right we do it, if it isn't we don't.

TimmyH added 18:15 - Aug 18 Move on...always thought Argentina are better as a unit then the sum of their parts, he well could a point in case.
2

Theipswich added 18:41 - Aug 18

It seems the keyboard warriors got rather upset me writing that he wants to go to another club...it's true.My sources in Italy tell me that Signor Romano is way off the mark on this one and Palacios wants a Newcastle Utd or Aston Villa level club and not Ipswich and is holding out for a "bigger" club to put in an offer...he doesn't want to come to Suffolk. My Wild Boar contact in Leverkusen who is privy to these discussions and knows his agent informed that Town are way down the list of clubs he would like to go to...so forget it....

armchaircritic59 added 18:46 - Aug 18 Overtheline, only played precisely 90 minutes at the world cup, and had no part to play in the unseemly after final going on's. My personal answer to your question, is yes, if he's deemed good enough to play here, very happy to have him wear an ITFC shirt, and I don't give a stuff about any political leanings he may or may not have either.
0

armchaircritic59 added 19:47 - Aug 18 Theipswich, your source, whom I'm sure is Kosher, is merely telling everyone exactly the same thing we read on this site some days ago, emanating from either the player, or his agent, or both. Hardly anything earth shattering or new.
0

AndySav04 added 04:30 - Aug 19

Don't see anyone else knocking on the door of Leverkusen and in fact negotiating.

Town has conducted due diligence and is ready to pay a fee within a few million pounds for him, but in fact have the ball in their court and 'NOT' the other way round 'Monkey Blue's.

This is a transfer that is way more likely to happen as ALSO Leverkusen brings in so much talent that would benefit from increased roles in the attack minded bundesliga.

dirtydingusmagee added 08:22 - Aug 19 Forget it ,move on .
-1

rfretwell added 16:03 - Aug 20 Churchmanscrate - no not massive excitement when O'Callaghan joined. He never really hit the heights tho was a useful squad winger. Can't compare him to Palacios.
0

rfretwell added 16:06 - Aug 20 Churchmanscrate - as a lad in Churchmans I had a crate and a massive wooden rattleKevin O'Callaghan never really hit the heights gor is but was a useful squad winger. Can't compare him to Palacios, a World Cup runner up!
0