Liverpool are expected to be big spenders in the summer transfer window, with Manchester City likely to splash the cash as well.

Pep Guardiola’s side have endured one of their worst seasons in recent memory with the reigning Premier League champions currently in the battle for a UEFA Champions League spot for next season, with City just one point ahead of sixth-place Chelsea.

With Liverpool and City already fighting for Adam Wharton, there’s a good chance that the two English giants will be entangled in a number of transfer battles over the summer, with both teams likely to tussle for the Premier League next season.

And one player Liverpool and City are both interested in has now decided which team he wants to join in the summer.

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According to Soy del Millo, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios is wanted by both Liverpool and City, but the Argentine international prefers a move to the Etihad Stadium to play for Pep Guardiola rather than making a switch to Anfield.

Noted by Breaking The Lines as a ‘dangerous’ passer, Palacios was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the South American since become a key player for Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side.

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As per the report, a €50m (£43m) move to the Premier League is on the cards for Palacios this summer with Liverpool and City both interested in signing the former River Plate man, yet the Manchester giants have an edge over the Reds.

Indeed, central midfield is not a problem position for Liverpool going into the summer, and with City in need of a complete rebuild with Rodri still injured and Kevin De Bruyne departing, Palacios ticks a lot of boxes for Guardiola’s side.

With Arne Slot discovering Liverpool’s perfect combination in the midfield, investment in the position over the summer is likely to be minimal, even with a player like Palacios potentially on the market.

And if City were to snap up the Argentine international, Liverpool won’t be losing too much sleep over the deal, with the Reds having bigger fish to fry in other areas of the squad, namely fullback and centre-forward.

Had Slot not stumbled upon Liverpool’s dream midfield pairing in Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, Palacios could have been an option this summer, yet the Argentine will have to wait with other positions in need of recruitments.


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