Manchester City ‘seriously considering’ potential move for Bayer Leverkusen star with competition from Premier League giants

Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly ‘seriously considering the possibility’ of making a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios.

Etihad Stadium officials are expected to look into the possibility of recruitment in the defensive midfield position during 2024, amid ongoing struggles from Kalvin Phillips to further integrate himself into Pep Guardiola’s plans.

The former Leeds United icon is eyeing more consistent game time in the second-half of the ongoing season, with England embarking on a European Championships campaign in Germany in the summer.

With the pursuit of a new name in mind, fresh reports have now linked Manchester City with an interest in one of the Bundesliga’s stand-out performers, and a current Argentina international.

That is according to the information of TNT Sports Argentina, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, who state that the form of Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios has drawn the attention of the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa.

The report claims the Premier League trio are ‘seriously considering the possibility’ to secure the player during the upcoming January transfer window, despite the Argentina international signing a new deal with the Bundesliga side just last month until 2028.

Rodri is expected to hold down Manchester City’s defensive midfield slot for the most part of the current season, with the Spaniard showing no sign of letting up and handing Kalvin Phillips an opportunity to perform in the more important contests.

With regards to Phillips, the England international may in fact not get another chance to start for Pep Guardiola until the start of the Emirates FA Cup campaign for the current holders, when they enter the competition at the third round stage in January.

City do however have the FIFA Club World Cup to take on in December, however the expectation is that Pep Guardiola will take the competition as seriously as he takes his Premier League and Champions League commitments.