Tomas Palacios stays at Inter Milan as Santos deal collapses

The Argentine defender will not join Santos after negotiations broke down, and could remain under Cristian Chivu as Inter Milan’s sixth-choice centre-back

The negotiations between Inter Milan and Santos for Tomàs Palacios have officially collapsed. 

Despite initial optimism and even a preliminary agreement between the two clubs, the move has not materialised. 

As a result, the young Argentine defender is now expected to remain in Milan, where he could be part of Cristian Chivu’s plans as the sixth-choice centre-back.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio via Fcinter1908, the operation is considered “definitively off.” This comes as a surprise given that Santos had identified Palacios as a key reinforcement for their back line. 

The Brazilian side were keen to bring him in during this transfer window, viewing his physical attributes and ball-playing skills as ideal for their tactical system.

Why the Palacios move to Santos collapsed

However, several factors appear to have derailed the transfer. While the two clubs had reached an agreement in principle, discussions reportedly stalled over the financial structure of the deal. 

Sources close to the negotiation suggest that Inter Milan wanted Santos to commit to a permanent transfer, whereas the Brazilian club pushed for a loan with an option to buy. 

Additionally, personal terms may have played a role: Palacios himself was hesitant about leaving Europe so soon in his career, preferring to fight for a place at Inter Milan rather than return to South America.

Another important element is Chivu’s evaluation of his squad. With Inter Milan competing on multiple fronts this season, squad depth is crucial. 

The manager is believed to have argued for retaining Palacios as a reliable backup option, particularly given the risk of injuries in central defence.

For Palacios, the outcome could represent an opportunity rather than a setback. While his chances of starting regularly remain slim, training and developing alongside Inter Milan’s experienced defenders will help his progression. 

Moreover, being part of the first-team environment in Serie A may provide him with better long-term career prospects than an immediate move back to South America.

For Santos, the failure of the deal means they must quickly explore alternative options before the market closes. Their defensive needs remain, and the club will likely turn to domestic or other South American targets to fill the gap left by Palacios’ non-arrival.