Fiorentina join European chase for River’s rising keeper Santiago Beltrán
River’s season under Leonardo Ponzio has swung between promise and setbacks, yet the club’s young goalkeeper has become the bright spot that has drawn European attention. In the past few hours Fiorentina added its name to the list of clubs watching Santiago Beltrán, a move that could see the River platense talent reunited with former teammate Franco Mastantuono in Florence.
Fiorentina’s renewed interest
Fiorentina’s pursuit follows a pattern of recent dealings with River, highlighted by the arrivals of Lucas Martínez Quarta and Lucas Beltrán. The Italian side, has already opened talks, with the club’s goalkeeper – who holds an EU passport – reportedly proposing a fee around €20 million. The plan reportedly involves an initial loan in January, followed by a permanent transfer in June, while clubs from the Premier League also monitor the situation.
Beltrán’s River record and contract move
Since breaking into the first team, Santiago Beltrán has featured in 41 matches, totalling 3 671 minutes, conceding just 35 goals – an average of roughly 0.85 per game. He has kept 16 clean sheets, meaning he prevented any goal in almost 39 percent of his appearances, cementing his status as the undisputed number one at River.
His performances have earned him a place in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad for both pre‑World Cup preparations and recent FIFA‑date internationals. Recognising the risk of losing him, River’s hierarchy accelerated talks to extend his contract, which runs until December 2027, aiming to raise his salary and insert a robust release clause.
The club’s swift action reflects the belief that retaining the Argentine youngster will be a complex task, especially if the Fiorentina deal materialises. Should the transfer go through, Beltrán would join the ranks of former River players thriving abroad, while also re‑uniting with Franco Mastantuono, the ex‑River striker who now represents Fiorentina.
For River, the contrast is stark: a season marked by fluctuations on the domestic front, yet a player whose individual consistency has sparked interest across the continent. The unfolding negotiations will determine whether the club can keep its prized goalkeeper or watch him embark on a new chapter in Florence.