Real Madrid will reportedly finalise the signing of River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios after the Club World Cup.
Madrid are understood to have been tracking the 20-year-old for a number of months and used the rearranged Copa Libertadores final - which was held at their Bernabeu home - to help thrash out a deal.
River's victory in that final means that they will join European champions Madrid at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi this month, with the pair expected to meet in the final on December 22.
Marca reports that Palacios will then join Madrid during the January transfer window, despite River hoping to delay the transfer until next summer.
The youngster came through the ranks at River Plate and has made 18 appearances for the club across all competitions so far this season, scoring twice.
Palacios is also an Argentina international, having won his first two caps for his country this year.
Barney Corkhill
