💣Third signing close: River in advanced talks for Andino | OneFootball

As part of the profound restructuring planned by Marcelo Gallardo for 2026, River Plate has made significant progress in negotiations to sign Santino Andino, the young gem from Godoy Cruz. The clubs are currently ironing out the final details and percentages for what would be a permanent transfer.

The forward, who has been the undisputed star of "Tomba" in a challenging year and delivered an outstanding performance with the Argentine National Team at the U-20 World Cup, is exactly the type of player that appeals to the "Millonario" coaching staff.

The profile "Muñeco" is looking for

Andino stands out for being a game-changing, fast, and highly skilled footballer—qualities that fit perfectly with Gallardo’s vision of regaining aggressiveness in the final third of the pitch. His arrival would be part of an ambitious offensive plan that also includes Tadeo Allende, currently Lionel Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami.

The intention of the management, led by Stefano Di Carlo, is to close the deal as soon as possible so the young player can join preseason and quickly adapt to the demands of the Núñez club.

The player’s final decision

Despite the progress between the clubs, the final word will come from the player himself. Andino must decide whether to honor his initial commitment to join River’s project or wait for a potential offer from abroad that could arise in the coming days. If the transfer goes through, it would represent a crucial step in the career of one of Argentina’s brightest football prospects, strengthening a River side aiming to return to the top in 2026.

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

📸 Pedro H. Tesch - 2025 Getty Images