Inter Milan Close to Signing Argentine Defensive Star: A New Bastoni in the Making

As the summer transfer window nears its closure, Inter Milan seems on the brink of unveiling a significant addition to their squad. According to reports from Di Marzio, the Nerazzurri have dismissed any notions of bringing in a forward—be it Paulo Dybala or Federico Chiesa—despite the persistent rumors. Instead, the focus has shifted to bolstering their defense, with Argentine center-back Tomás Palacios being the prime target. After Vice President Javier Zanetti stepped in to push the deal forward, Inter is reportedly close to finalizing the terms. Agreements have been reached with both the club currently holding Palacios on loan and his parent club, with only minor details left to iron out, particularly concerning the future resale clause.

Who Is Tomás Palacios?

For many, Tomás Palacios might be an unfamiliar name. However, a deeper look into recent reports from Italian and Argentine media, as well as data analytics agencies, paints a promising picture of this emerging talent. Palacios currently plays as a left-sided center-back in a 3-5-2 formation for his Argentine club. This season, he has featured in 77.6% of available minutes in Argentina's top division and has also made appearances for the Argentina U20 national team. His primary responsibilities include defending, engaging in physical duels, and contesting set-pieces, while also initiating plays from the back—a role that TyC Sports has described as being akin to a "Playmaker on the defensive line."

Strengths and Style of Play

1. Football Intelligence, Technique, and Quick Decision-Making: Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport highlight Palacios' intelligence, technical skills, and ability to think quickly on the field. Argentine media adds that he possesses exceptional speed and explosiveness, making him a formidable presence in defense. Data comparisons have even drawn parallels between Palacios and Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, suggesting that Palacios could serve as a rotational option for Bastoni if he joins the club.

2. Ball Progression and Dribbling: One of Palacios' primary tasks as a left-sided center-back in a 3-5-2 formation is ball progression—a key component of Inter’s system. Like Bastoni, Palacios excels in this area. He averages 20.8 progressive carries per match, covering a distance of 151.6 yards. While this is slightly less than Bastoni's average at Inter (47.3 carries, 238.3 yards), it still ranks highly among defenders. Palacios also displays impressive dribbling ability, averaging 2.94 dribble attempts per match with a success rate of 56%. This statistic is notably higher than many wingers who command hefty transfer fees, making Palacios a standout in this regard. While Bastoni tends to dribble less frequently, often completing only one dribble every three matches, Palacios' ability to take on opponents could add a new dimension to Inter's backline.

3. Passing Accuracy and Set-Pieces: In terms of passing, Palacios shows promise but still has room for improvement. His medium-range passing accuracy (15-30 yards) stands at 82.3%, while his long-range accuracy (over 30 yards) is 40.4%. These figures fall short of Bastoni's performance at Inter (91.7% and 67.9%, respectively). Palacios’ struggles with long-range passing have also affected his effectiveness on set-pieces. Despite being his team's primary set-piece taker, he has created only one clear-cut chance in nine league matches, suggesting that he may not immediately take over set-piece duties at Inter from players like Hakan Çalhanoğlu or Federico Dimarco.

4. Physicality and Aggression: Palacios stands out in his physical duels and aggressive style of play. Unlike Bastoni, who is not particularly known for his physicality—evidenced by a 57.8% aerial duel success rate and a 55.9% success rate in ground duels—Palacios is more robust. In Argentina's top league, he boasts a 69.2% aerial duel success rate and a 76.5% success rate in ground duels. This has kept his tackle and interception numbers consistently high among defenders. However, it’s important to note that these stats are from the Argentine Primera División, which differs significantly from Serie A in terms of style and level of competition. Therefore, while Palacios' aggression is a positive attribute, it will need to be channeled effectively in Italy, where tactical discipline is crucial.

A Player with Potential, but Patience is Key

While Palacios is undoubtedly a player with significant potential, there are still areas where he needs to develop. His high level of aggression has seen him pick up five yellow cards in just 765 minutes of Argentine league football this season, and he was responsible for an opponent’s long-term injury. This gives him an average of 0.59 cards per match, significantly higher than Bastoni's 0.19 across three different Serie A teams. Such statistics indicate that Palacios will need to adapt to the more tactical and disciplined nature of Serie A, where mistimed challenges can be costly.

Despite these concerns, there is reason for Inter fans to be optimistic. Palacios ticks many of the boxes set out by Inter’s management and coach Simone Inzaghi for a new defensive recruit: speed, height, a left foot, the ability to play as a center-back and a wing-back, passing ability, and a hardworking attitude. If the deal goes through, Palacios could well become a valuable asset to the team, offering versatility and energy to a defense that has been seeking reinforcements.

The Road Ahead

However, it is crucial for Inter supporters to manage their expectations. Adjusting from the Argentine Primera División to Serie A is no small feat, and even the most promising talents can take time to acclimate. Take Mateo Retegui, for example, who needed six months to find his footing after arriving from Argentina. If Palacios does sign for Inter, fans should be prepared to offer him the time and patience needed to grow into the role. There will undoubtedly be learning curves and "tuition fees" that come with such a transition, but with proper support, Palacios could develop into a key player for the Nerazzurri in the coming years.