Atletico watches Beltran as it plans Oblak's replacement
At the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Atlético de Madrid scouts watch the young Argentine goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán during a training session; the 22‑year‑old starter for River Plate arrives as Jan Oblak celebrates his 400 league matches and his contract running until June 2028.
Atlético de Madrid has already sent its scouts to see Beltrán live, with the intention of finding a young goalkeeper who can take over the goal several years after Jan Oblak. Oblak, who signed until June 2028, remains a starter and his longevity forces the club to plan his replacement.
Beltrán's Performance in 2024
This year the Argentine has played 39 matches for River Plate, keeping 15 clean sheets. In June he debuted with the senior Argentina national team, establishing himself as a high‑level option.
Clauses and Transfer Timeline
By mid‑September Atlético already had Beltrán on its radar with a €21 million release clause. Two weeks later, River opened negotiations to raise the clause to €100 million, making any immediate deal more expensive. Under FIFA regulations, a player can sign with another club when he has six months left on his contract; with his current deal, Beltrán could commit from 1 July 2027 and become free in January 2028, just when Oblak would have six months left at Atlético.
Interest is not limited to Spain. Both Manchester United and Aston Villa are closely monitoring River’s goalkeeper, turning the race for Beltrán into a competition that already goes beyond the Spanish league.
If River Plate decides to renew the keeper with the new clause, Oblak’s replacement will become a transfer negotiation, and the Argentine club would hold the frying pan by the handle. Otherwise, Atlético could count on the player’s free arrival in January 2028.
Beltrán is not the only option that the red‑and‑white are considering for the future between the posts. River’s decision on the renewal will determine whether Atlético opts for a financial investment or patience in the search for its successor.