Town Return With Improved Offer
Ipswich Town have submitted a new official bid to Bayer Leverkusen for Exequiel Palacios, hoping this improved proposal can finally unlock a deal for the Argentine midfielder. Sources close to the club suggest optimism remains genuinely high, with Ipswich hopeful of closing the deal within the next few hours, even if terms haven’t been formally agreed yet.
This latest offer follows a frustrating sequence of rejections throughout the summer. Ipswich’s opening bid, reportedly worth around €15 million, was quickly dismissed by Leverkusen as insufficient. A subsequent proposal near €20 million fared no better, with the Bundesliga club’s internal assessment simply labelling it “far too low.” Leverkusen’s valuation, meanwhile, has consistently sat between €35 million and €40 million throughout negotiations.
Notably, Palacios has made his own preference abundantly clear. Having already informed Leverkusen of his desire to leave, the 27-year-old wants to test himself in the Premier League. His motivation extends beyond ambition, too. With Leverkusen playing Europa League football this season rather than the Champions League, his performance-related salary has reportedly taken a hit, adding financial incentive to his push for an exit.
World Cup Pedigree Adds Genuine Weight
Palacios brings genuine international pedigree to any negotiation. He was part of Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup squad and featured again during this summer’s tournament, where his country reached the final. Since joining Leverkusen from River Plate back in 2019, he’s made over 180 appearances, including a starring role in the club’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph during the 2023-24 season.
New Leverkusen head coach Carles Martinez reportedly considers Palacios a key part of his midfield plans, explaining the club’s reluctance to accept anything below their stated valuation. Still, given Palacios’ own determination to leave, Leverkusen may ultimately prove willing to negotiate should Ipswich’s revised bid close the remaining gap sufficiently.
With four other clubs from both the Premier League and Bundesliga reportedly monitoring the situation, according to TransferFeed, Ipswich appear determined to move decisively before rivals intervene.
Readers following Ipswich Town’s summer transfer business can find continued coverage on KCPredict as this deal edges toward a conclusion.