Neymar’s Santos join the race with River for Ascacíbar | OneFootball

The captain of Estudiantes is considering his future after a breakthrough year and, while things are progressing quietly in Núñez, Neymar’s team is closely monitoring him.

Amid the celebrations for the 2025 Clausura that Estudiantes won against Racing, Santiago Ascacíbar left the door open to a possible departure, and the mood quickly shifted in La Plata. After the Champions Trophy, the midfielder will take a break to decide, and the club’s management already admits that it won’t be easy to keep him.

River is closely following every move. In Núñez, they are keen on adding the Pincharrata midfielder and have marked him as a priority, though they know they are not alone. In recent hours, a major competitor has emerged from Brazil: Neymar’s Santos also has him on their radar.

Peixe is looking to rebuild after a challenging year. After avoiding relegation at the last minute and securing a spot in the next Copa Sudamericana, the São Paulo club aims to compete at the top again. With Juan Pablo Vojvoda as coach, the need for reinforcements is clear, and the Argentine appears on the list of alternatives, according to Brazilian media.

The contractual context plays a key role. Ascacíbar is under contract until December of next year and holds one of the highest salaries in the squad. For Estudiantes, offering him a pay raise won’t be easy, especially considering the player is entering the final stage of his contract.

From a sporting perspective, the dilemma is profound. The captain could finish the year with another title and, if he stays in La Plata, compete in the next Copa Libertadores. Even so, the possibility of a change of scenery and leaving with recognition weighs heavily in the midfielder’s personal analysis.

In Brazil, the interest comes with limitations. Santos already has players for the position and a tight budget, in addition to other priorities on their agenda, such as resolving Neymar’s contract situation and making progress on Gabigol’s return. This scenario could play in favor of the Millonario.

For now, Núñez is sticking to the plan. Contacts with the player’s entourage have been ongoing for some time and have progressed positively. The most complex step will be sitting down with the management led by Juan Sebastián Verón, something that could happen in the coming days to formalize the intention to invest in a share of the midfielder’s rights.

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