Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is pushing to wrap up a deal for River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios.

With River's Club World Cup hopes now over, Florentino wants to close the signing of Palacios immediately, says AS.

Real hope to do business with River for around €20m, though whether they'll agree for Palacios to spend 2019 on-loan with the Argentine giants is yet to be decided.

Palacios is ready to sign with Real, though has stated he feels his development would be best served by another season with River.

At 20, Real chiefs concede they are signing Palacios as one for the future.