River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo has hinted Exequiel Palacios could yet be moving to Real Madrid next month.

Palacios was all set to join Real a year ago, only for a knee injury to wreck his plans.

The youngster is expected to join Bayer Leverkusen in January, however Gallardo dropped Real's name when discussing the transfer over the weekend.

He stated: "If Real Madrid comes to look for Palacios, how can I tell him not to go to Real Madrid? It is an inconsistency.

"We do not know which of our players are going to leave, except for Palacios who began negotiations and is on track. It is very clear that we have two games to play and then there will be time to think."