Two Bundesliga midfielders could be headed for the Premier League before the transfer window closes, with Crystal Palace showing concrete interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Farès Chaïbi and Ipswich Town continuing their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios. According to Sport Bild, Crystal Palace are considering a move for Chaïbi. No formal offer has yet arrived in Frankfurt, though one could reportedly follow soon.
A potential departure would pose no significant problems for Eintracht. The RheinMainAdler have built their preferred midfield partnership for the coming season around new additions Noël Aséko and Raphael Onyedika.
Chaïbi’s versatility remains one of his major selling points. The Algeria international can work centrally or further forward and has established himself as a regular for his national team since arriving in Frankfurt in 2023.
Interest from England is also nothing new. Aston Villa and Brentford have previously been linked with Chaïbi, while his recent World Cup performances for Algeria further raised his profile.
Exequiel Palacios now pushes for Leverkusen departure
There has meanwhile been a significant development in Exequiel Palacios’s situation at Bayer Leverkusen. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the 27-year-old has now explicitly informed Leverkusen of his desire to leave. Previous reports had suggested that Palacios was considering a transfer without having formally requested one.
Ipswich Town remain the interested party. Palacios had initially preferred a move to one of England’s established top clubs, but is now reportedly open to joining the newly promoted Premier League side. The Argentina international is even said to have reduced his financial demands in order to facilitate a move.
A considerable gap nevertheless remains between the clubs. Ipswich have reportedly offered approximately €20m, while Leverkusen believe around €35m constitutes fair market value.
Palacios’s possible departure would significantly alter an already fluid midfield picture under Carles Martínez. As discussed in Get German Football News’2026/27 Bayer Leverkusen tactical preview, Palacios remains a projected Leverkusen starter.
For both Chaïbi and Palacios, the decisive stage of the transfer window therefore appears to be approaching. Palace have yet to make their first concrete move for the Frankfurt midfielder, while Ipswich have already done so and now know what it will take to move negotiations forward.