TBR Football can exclusively reveal that West Ham United have opened talks to sign Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
The Irons have had a difficult start to the new Premier League season, losing their first two games 3-0 and 5-1 respectively.
The pressure is on Graham Potter, who has two more games to save his job after what has been a really underwhelming eight months at the London Stadium.
West Ham have been working hard on new signings, and a Bundesliga champion is on their radar.
West Ham United have started talks to sign Exequiel Palacios
TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, understands that West Ham have held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over Argentine midfielder Exequiel Palacios.
The Hammers had shown an interest in his team-mate Aleix Garcia earlier in the summer, but they have now turned their attention to Palacios.
The Argentina international, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar alongside Lionel Messi, played a key role under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen.
Palacios played 36 games in all competitions in Die Werkself’s historic 2023/24 season, in which they won the double.
Now, TBR can reveal that the 26-year-old is potentially available on loan and is seen as a high-calibre recruit for Potter’s side.
Bailey said: “West Ham want at least a couple of midfielders before the window closes. They may do other deals, but Graham Potter wants the midfielders.
“They realise they can only do so much with a week left in the window, but a player of the calibre of Palacios is sure to appeal.”
Palacios still has three years left on his contract at Leverkusen.
What Xabi Alonso has said about West Ham target Exequiel Palacios
No manager knows Palacios better than Alonso.
The midfielder played 100 times under the now Real Madrid boss, and he developed brilliantly, especially in the 2023/24 campaign.
Speaking in March 2023, Alonso heaped praise on Palacios’ performances by saying, as per Bayer Leverkusen’s official website: “The World Cup helped with his confidence. When you win that and hold the trophy in your hands, you want more.
“Pala has been playing at a very high level for two months. He’s playing with dynamism in attack, with aggression to win the ball back.
“The better he implements our philosophy and the speed of our game, the better the team will be. The team has very much improved with him and the other midfielders. I’m sure Pala will continue to develop as well.”