Ascacíbar linked to River: Estudiantes on alert | OneFootball

The Millionaire asked about the Pincha’s captain, but the club from La Plata is not very convinced about letting him go due to the poor relationship between the clubs and because they would prefer to sell him abroad.

With a little less than a month to go before the transfer window opens in Argentina, Marcelo Gallardo has drawn up a list of reinforcements for River looking ahead to 2026. Among the most prominent names is Santiago Ascacíbar, captain and star of Estudiantes. At Pincha, they have already made their stance clear regarding a possible sale of the 28-year-old midfielder to the Núñez club.

River had already shown interest in the “Ruso” earlier this year, and even Enzo Pérez, his former teammate in 2024, had done everything possible to convince him. However, Estudiantes was surprised by the recent contact from Mariano Barnao (Gallardo’s trusted man) and his agent, since the relationship between the two institutions did not end on good terms.

The last straw was the recall of Sebastián Boselli, who was fundamental for Eduardo Domínguez, just hours before Estudiantes was to play the International Supercup against Vélez in July. But a few days earlier, when Marcelo Gallardo was asked about the approach he used against Barcelona in the 2015 Club World Cup and was compared to Alejandro Sabella’s in 2009, the “Muñeco” said that at León there is “another culture”, a statement that within the Pincha camp was interpreted as a form of disdain.

Furthermore, in February of this year, when the agreement between Estudiantes and Foster Gillett was a recurring topic in football conversations, Stefano Di Carlo, now president of River and then general secretary, targeted Juan Sebastián Verón by saying that “everything he says or does generates distrust”.

Additionally, many of the Pincha directors are not convinced about strengthening a rival with a player of Ascacíbar’s caliber, which is why they want, if he leaves, for the sale to be abroad. In this regard, there have been some inquiries from Brazil, the United States, and Europe. The club would be willing to let him go for five million dollars. It’s worth noting that his contract runs until December 2027.

Until Estudiantes finishes its participation in the Torneo Clausura (on Monday at 5 p.m. they play the semifinals against Gimnasia), there won’t be many updates regarding the player’s future, as he is currently 100% focused on winning his fourth title with the club.

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