Ipswich Town close in on Exequiel Palacios after submitting improved €30m offer

Ipswich Town are reportedly closing in on Exequiel Palacios after submitting a third offer worth €30million (£26m) including bonuses for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.

Ipswich have refused to give up on the 27-year-old despite seeing their first two proposals fall short of Leverkusen's valuation.

Their persistence could now be about to pay off.

Argentine journalist Renzo Pantich reports that Ipswich's latest package has taken negotiations significantly closer to a breakthrough, with the two clubs described as “very, very close” to reaching an agreement.

The Tractor Boys will hope their third proposal is also their final one as they attempt to add an experienced World Cup winner to their Premier League squad.

Ipswich have gradually improved their position during negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen.

Their opening proposal was rejected, with reports from Argentina suggesting the Bundesliga club wanted around €35m (£30.3m) to sanction Palacios' departure.

A second offer was subsequently submitted but again failed to meet those demands.

Ipswich have now returned with a package worth €30m (£26m), including the guaranteed transfer fee and potential bonuses.

While that remains below the €35m figure previously reported, Pantich's latest information suggests the difference between the clubs has been significantly reduced.

The expectation is that an agreement could now be close.

One of the other potential obstacles concerned Palacios himself.

Previous reports from Argentina had suggested the midfielder would prefer to wait for an opportunity from a bigger club if he left Leverkusen.

However, his position appears to have changed as Ipswich's pursuit has progressed.

Pantich reports that Palacios is now very keen on becoming a Premier League player, removing another potential complication from negotiations.

That would represent an important breakthrough for Ipswich.

Convincing an established Argentina international to join would underline the club's ambition after returning to the Premier League and provide further experience in midfield.

Palacios has been with Bayer Leverkusen since joining from River Plate in January 2020.

His most recent campaign was interrupted by a serious right adductor injury that kept him sidelined for a significant period during the first half of the season.

Despite that setback, he recovered to finish the campaign with 25 appearances and one assist, while also earning a place in Argentina's World Cup squad.

At 27, Palacios would arrive at Portman Road with considerable experience at both club and international level.

River Plate are also set to benefit if the transfer is completed.

Pantich reports that the Argentine club could receive approximately €4.3m (£3.7m) through rights connected to a future sale and FIFA's solidarity mechanism.

For Ipswich, however, the priority is completing a transfer they have been working hard to secure.

After two rejected proposals, their third offer appears to have moved Palacios closer than ever to Portman Road.

Ipswich and Bayer Leverkusen now need to close the remaining gap and finalise the structure of the deal.

The latest proposal has seemingly brought negotiations close to a conclusion, while Palacios' willingness to make the move removes another major obstacle.

If the clubs reach a final agreement, Ipswich can move towards completing the formalities and adding an experienced Argentina international to their midfield.

Would Exequiel Palacios be the statement signing Ipswich need to strengthen their Premier League midfield?