River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios is set to sign for Real Madrid as early as next week, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The paper says the deal for the 20-year-old is in place and will be completed when the Argentine returns from a short holiday in the new year.

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have also been linked with the in-form midfielder which is believed to have speeded up Los Blancos’ pursuit of the deal.

Palacois has made 47 first-team appearances for River although 20 of those have arrived this season, including helping the Buenos Aires side to victory in the Copa Libertadores.