Club Atlético River Plate has made an offer for Argentinos Juniors central defender Francisco Álvarez. The Millionaires proposed a payment of 3 million dollars for 50% of the economic rights of the 26-year-old player, but the La Paternal club responded by asking for 6 million for 70% of his pass, stalling negotiations.
River Plate's offer comes as the team looks to strengthen its defense, sitting eleventh in the Liga Profesional Argentina with 7 points from 7 games. Their last result was a 3-2 win over Banfield on August 30, recording three wins and two draws in their last five matches. The next fixture is against Independiente Rivadavia, sixth in the table, on September 6, a match you can follow on our fixtures page.
What is Argentinos Juniors asking for Francisco Álvarez?
The response from Argentinos Juniors to River's initial offer was clear. The Bug's management asked for "u$s 6 million for the 70%" of the defender's pass, effectively doubling the implied valuation of River's proposal. Francisco Álvarez, a center-back developed at San Martín de San Juan, has been a key piece this season, playing 27 matches and scoring 3 goals in 2,459 minutes of action. The good relationship between the managements of both clubs, forged after the sale of Tobías Ramírez to River in late March, was not enough to close a deal at this first stage.
How does Costantini's injury affect the market?
The injury to Giorgio Costantini, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee on Monday, could open a regulatory window for River Plate. AFA regulations allow a club to request an extra slot for 10 business days if a player suffers an injury that sidelines him for more than four months. The medical report must be submitted within five business days after the injury, so River has until next Monday. The AFA would evaluate the request within 24 to 48 hours. It is likely the club will activate this variant, which could be used precisely to sign a defender like Francisco Álvarez.
What other defenders is River Plate considering?
Besides the San Juan native, River Plate has other central defenders on its radar. One of them is Juan Giménez, a 20-year-old player from Rosario Central who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. However, any movement in the transfer market for a defender is conditional on an outgoing transfer. The club has not received any formal offers in recent days for Lautaro Rivero, but is willing to listen to proposals that satisfy all parties. The transfer window in Qatar closes this Thursday, while in the United Arab Emirates it ends on September 28 and in Saudi Arabia on October 12, deadlines that could influence the defender's future.
What is River Plate's sporting context?
The search for a defender comes as River Plate tries to improve its performance in the Liga Profesional. The team has a goal difference of -1, with 7 scored and 8 conceded, and is 9 points behind the leader, which coincidentally is Argentinos Juniors. The need to solidify the defense is clear to climb the standings table. The potential signing of Álvarez will ultimately depend on Rivero's departure and the AFA's approval of the extra slot, a procedure that has not yet been formalized. The team faces Independiente Rivadavia next September 6 at the Monumental.
