River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios has welcomed interest from Real Madrid.

The Argentine spoke for the first time about a potential future move to Los Blancos.

"I am proud that Real Madrid are interested in me," he told ESPN. "It is difficult to get away from all the things that are said on social media.

"I try to be calm and enjoy; my friends want me to stay here.

"Real Madrid are a very big club but my head has always been here at River, where I wanted to take advantage and have the chance to play regularly in the starting line-up.

"Luckily [the chance] was given to me and I'm taking full advantage of it

"My family will respect my decision as in a very short time, many good things have happened to me and I have to remain calm and enjoy this."