River Plate president Rodolfo D'Onofrio has confirmed Real Madrid have made an approach for Exequiel Palacios.

The young midfielder is expected to join Madrid in January, though be loaned back to River for the second-half of the season.

D'Onofrio told Cadena SER: "Emilio Butragueño (director at Real) has called our sports director Enzo Francescoli and expressed his interest.

"Once the season is over, we will sit down and talk.

"By all accounts, Palacios is likely to play in Europe next year."