After an outstanding season with double winners Leverkusen, FC Barcelona are said to be interested in midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The Argentinian feels honored. Bayer’s managing director Simon Rolfes comments
It was his best year under the Bayer cross so far. Exequiel Palacios showed all his class. On the one hand, as a prudent ball distributor and strong short-passing player who can also find his way in the tightest of spaces. On the other, as an aggressive tackler who tackles and tackles one-on-one, often proving to be an outstanding counter-pressing player. His league duel rate of 69 percent is simply outstanding.
“This year has been one of the strongest in my career, both physically and in terms of soccer,” the midfielder explained in an interview with D-Sports Radio from Argentina. And: “It fills him with pride to be part of the best Leverkusen team in history. As is well known, Palacios recently celebrated winning the national double with the Werkself.
Palacios is delighted about Barca interest
“Xabi Alonso has shaped the way we play,” said Palacios – and added that Leverkusen’s head coach would expect him to make the link between defense and offense. The six-man said: “Xabi always tells me that the midfield is an airport because that’s where the whole game takes place.” From this location, the players can head west, east, north or south.
In this sense, Palacios acts as a “pilot” for the Werkself in the center. And since he has done this job alongside boss Granit Xhaka in this historic season, he has usually been outstanding
For FC Barcelona, for example, who have now signed former national team coach Hansi Flick and are looking for a new force in central midfield. “It’s an honor that a club as big as Barcelona has taken notice of me,” explained Palacios. But: “Now I’m concentrating on the national team. We’ve had a very tough season and to talk about another club would be disrespectful to Leverkusen. “
Rolfes makes it clear: Bayer are planning with Palacios
The 25-year-old Palacios has a contract with the Werkself until the summer of 2028, is set for only his second Champions League season, can continue to learn from former midfield star Xabi Alonso – and is by no means a candidate for sale. “One thing is clear: we are planning with Exequiel Palacios for the coming season”,
The fact that a club like Leverkusen has a financial pain threshold is part of the whole truth. However, it is doubtful whether the financially strapped Catalans could reach this pain threshold if they wanted to. Palacios, who is in Argentina’s squad for this summer’s Copa America, will therefore start his next season under the Bayer cross. He joined from River Plate in January 2020. In the meantime, this transfer has long since become a success story
