Bayer Leverkusen star Exequiel Palacios is now a reported target of Aston Villa as the 11pm deadline approaches.
While it’s been a relatively quiet transfer window across all fronts, deadline day always serves up surprises from across the country.
Many clubs are desperate to finalise last-minute deals and there are expected to be plenty of those at Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s primary target Morgan Rogers completed his medical yesterday and will sign a five-and-a-half-year contract at Villa Park today while goalkeeper Joe Gauci and Arsenal left-back Lino Sousa are both expected to arrive.
During a frantic and chaotic deadline day, a flurry of rumours begin to rear their heads, prompting excitement from supporters.
On this occasion, Villa have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios.
Aston Villa are vying to sign Exequiel Palacios
According to SportBild in Germany, Aston Villa are the only Premier League side ‘vying’ to sign Palacios as the deadline approaches.
The 25-year-old has impressed as a defensive midfielder in Xabi Alonso’s conquering Leverkusen side who are threatening to usurp Bayern Munich’s dominance in the Bundesliga.
Of course, a player of this calibre comes with a huge price attached and it is claimed that Villa would need to cough up a fee in the region of €60 million (£51 million) to stand any chance of prising one of Alonso’s jewels away from his crown.
Villa have done some impressive business with Leverkusen over the years, landing Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby from the German giants, however, acquiring Palacios would be their most impressive feat yet.
Palacios would be a great signing
Realistically, the chances of NSWE unloading their war chest of funds to sign the Argentine during this window are low, though he would be a tremendous acquisition.
Palacios is a defensive midfielder whose sole purpose is to protect his backline and shift possession up the pitch.
During his time in Germany, he’s been praised as a ‘defensive genius’, demonstrating his ability to read the game superbly.
In the Bundesliga this term, he’s made 17 appearances and supplied five goal contributions from midfield, but his stand-out attributes have been his defensive awareness and tenacity.
According to FBref, Palacios ranks in the top 4% across Europe’s top five leagues for tackles, top 5% for interceptions and top 19% for blocks.
The tackling machine has held down the midfield fort alongside former Arsenal man Granit Xhaka and would be a fine addition to Aston Villa.
Emery’s side have been criticised for their lack of defensive protection in recent weeks, though the capture of Palacios would offer them an extra screen to protect their backline and give the Spaniard another decision to ponder tactically.
