Real Madrid will reportedly confirm the signing of River Plate wonderkid Exequiel Palacios following this weekend's Copa Libertadores final.

The 20-year-old is expected to start the second leg of River's clash with arch-rivals Boca Juniors on Saturday, having played a full part in the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.

River president Rodolfo D'Onofrio reiterated last week that no agreement is in place with Real for the Argentina international, but Goal.com reports that the two clubs have now shaken hands on a £22.3m deal.

European champions Real will supposedly announce the transfer at the earliest possible opportunity, which could be as soon as Saturday night, but the highly-rated midfielder will not be eligible to play for them until January.

Palacios, rumoured to have penned a deal that runs until 2024, made his international debut earlier this season.