Solari Completes Palacios as his first signing for Real

Santiago Solari has completed his first signing for Real Madrid after his permanent appointment as manager.

According to Marca (via Football Espana), Los Blancos have secured the signature of long-standing target Exequiel Palacios.

The River Plate midfielder has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract that begins from January 2019. The 20-year-old Argentine, who has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, has a €20m release clause in his contract.

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The highly rated star came through the River Plate youth academy and made his debut for the side when he was 16. Since his breakthrough into the senior team, Palacios has been capped twice for Argentina.

It has previously been reported that Madrid would loan the footballer back to River Plate immediately, with Palacios to rendezvous with his new teammates in the summer.

The club have been watching Palacios for some time, prompting River Plate president Rodolfo D’Onofrio to say that Madrid have been acting ‘dishonestly’ and ‘disrespectfully’ over their move for the player.

Madrid announced yesterday that Solari had signed a three-year deal with the club. He took over as interim manager following the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui, though a strong showing in his early tenure landed the former Real Madrid Castilla coach a permanent deal.

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According to recent reports, Solari could be ready to make a move for Manchester United star Alexis Sánchez in January.