Exequiel Palacios is travelling to complete a permanent transfer to Ipswich Town from Bayer Leverkusen after a club-to-club deal was closed, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Argentine midfielder will reportedly join the Premier League side for a fee worth €22.5m plus €5m in add-ons, with a medical scheduled for Thursday.
The 27-year-old has agreed to a long-term contract at Portman Road that will run until June 2030. This landmark signing represents a significant coup for the Tractor Boys. According to David Ornstein, Palacios will become the first World Cup winner to ever represent Ipswich Town. The deal follows a verbal agreement between the two clubs after intensive negotiations.
There are slight variations in the reported financial figures. According to Florian Plettenberg, the total package is worth €30m, consisting of a €25m guaranteed sum and €5m in bonuses. Romano reports the base fee at €22.5m but includes a 10% sell-on clause in the arrangement. Despite these minor discrepancies, all major sources confirm the deal is now effectively done.
The deal
- Fee: €22.5m plus €5m add-ons (Fabrizio Romano)
- Contract: Until June 2030 (Florian Plettenberg)
- Stage: Medical booked for Thursday (Fabrizio Romano)
- Sell-on clause: 10% (Fabrizio Romano)
Palacios leaves Bayer Leverkusen after a highly successful stint in the Bundesliga. He was a key part of the squad under Xabi Alonso. His arrival comes at a busy time for Ipswich. The club recently secured a 3-1 win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, according to Sky Sports. Meanwhile, striker Ali Al-Hamadi has departed for Sheffield Wednesday on loan, according to the BBC.
What happens next
Palacios will undergo his medical examinations on Thursday to finalise the move. Once the paperwork is signed, the club will likely announce him before the weekend. He could be integrated into the squad immediately for upcoming Premier League fixtures.
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