Coudet has sounded out Gio Simeone, wants him at River from June | OneFootball

Giovanni Simeone is one of River’s main targets to strengthen the squad for the second half of 2026, following the preseason in Europe. Eduardo Coudet contacted the striker, who currently plays for Torino, and told him he wants him to return to the club where he came through the ranks. People close to the player say he wants to come back and do so at his peak.

The forward is enjoying a strong spell in a Torino shirt: he has scored ten goals in 29 matches with three rounds left before the end of Serie A. That attacking output has made him the team’s top scorer, with Torino currently sitting 13th in the league.

His goal is to finish the season in his best form and keep improving his numbers. With 83 goals in the Italian league across spells with Genoa, Hellas Verona, Cagliari, Fiorentina, Napoli, and Torino, the Cholito is already among the top 130 scorers in the competition’s history and is the tenth-highest Argentine, ahead of, for example, Diego Maradona.

Despite his strong form in Italy, at 30 years old Simeone feels he is at his physical and mental peak and believes this is a good time to return to River. People close to the player told this outlet that his intention is to bring his highest level to the Millonario and repay everything the club gave him during his youth academy years and at the start of his career. Wearing the red sash, he played 33 matches, scored four goals, and won four titles.

Under contract with Torino until 2028, the club has valued him at around eight million euros. Despite interest from Real Betis and other European teams, the Cholito’s wish is to return to River, putting financial considerations aside.

One of Coudet’s priorities is to strengthen the center of the attack, as he believes it is a position lacking depth in the squad. Most of River’s forwards are more comfortable playing alongside the number nine, so that focal point is missing. Chacho got in touch with Simeone and told him he wants him to wear the River shirt, something he also did with Uruguayan winger Agustín Cannobio.

With approval from both sides, all that remains is contact between the clubs, which has not yet taken place. It is worth noting that the two institutions have maintained a close relationship since the Superga tragedy in 1949. After the plane crash involving the Italian club’s squad, the Millonario traveled to play a charity match, and from then on a bond was born that the Argentine club’s website describes as a “brotherhood.” That, along with Simeone’s desire to return, could be key factors in negotiations. Will his return happen in the winter transfer window?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.