Marcelo Gallardo targets Santiago Ascacíbar, River begin talks to sign him | OneFootball

After being eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Clausura Tournament, River Plate is now focused on the upcoming year. While awaiting confirmation on whether they will play in the Libertadores or the Sudamericana, Marcelo Gallardo is cleaning house and looking for reinforcements to face the double competition in 2026.

In this context, Santiago Ascacíbar is one of the possible additions for the Millonario in this summer transfer window. The Estudiantes de La Plata midfielder is of interest to the Muñeco, and the new management led by Stéfano Di Carlo is stepping on the gas to sign him.

The Pincha midfielder has only one year left on his contract, and the Millonario is moving forward with that advantage. Ten days ago was the first contact between the Núñez club’s board and the midfielder. This Monday, a key meeting was held at the Estadio Más Monumental to move closer to an agreement with the player.

Those close to the midfielder describe the deal as ‘very viable.’ Thus, the 28-year-old footballer, who has previously played for Stuttgart, Hertha Berlin, and Cremonese, could stop wearing the Estudiantes jersey to have his second experience at an Argentine club.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Domínguez’s team remains in the fight for the 2025 Clausura Tournament. There will be a La Plata derby in the semifinals, but a defeat could complicate Ascacíbar’s future at the club due to having the highest salary on the squad. In that case, Estudiantes would lose their chances of playing in international competitions next year, a hard blow to the professional squad’s budget.

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