Chelsea has been linked with River Plate’s attacking talent Ian Subiabre quite consistently in recent months, although reports today make it seem like this move isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Release clause set too high for Chelsea’s tastes.
CaughtOffside reports that the Argentine club has slapped a £23m asking price on their winger, and that’s putting off the Blues. Despite his obvious quality and potential, that price for an unproven player is apparently too much for Chelsea. Although big fees for unproven players didn’t stop the club from signing Deivid Washington not long ago, the situation with Subiabre appears different.
Subiabre could be a smart signing for Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg, which is aiming to qualify for Europe. However, it’s still unclear which competition they or Chelsea will be in, and how that arrangement will work in terms of transfers.
Chelsea’s wealth of wide options makes another young addition unlikely. A look at Chelsea’s current wide options for next season shows there are likely to be some changes. Noni Madueke has continued his steady improvement, while Pedro Neto has established himself as Maresca’s preferred choice on the other side. Meanwhile, the deal to sign Jadon Sancho permanently from Manchester United looks like it’s going through, and Estevao Willian is set to arrive and hopefully keep up his emergence as a true superstar.
Youngster Tyrique George has also impressed this season. While there will be sales throughout the squad this summer, it’s not expected that any of those named above will be going. Therefore, it’s no surprise that adding another raw youngster in wide positions isn’t top of Chelsea's agenda, especially at that price. However, it will certainly be interesting to see how the Strasbourg connection plays into this, especially if they end up in the Champions League with a major budget to spend.
Meanwhile, River Plate is preparing to make signings for the Club World Cup in the upcoming June transfer market. Marcelo Gallardo, recently confirmed as the strategist leading the team in the international tournament, aims to build a squad with quality to compete against heavyweight rivals such as Inter Milan, Monterrey, and Urawa Reds, who they will share Group E with.
The board is already working to meet the coach's wishes, and several important names are being considered. One of the main targets is Ángel Correa, the forward from Atlético Madrid, whose contract expires this summer. At 30 years old, the Rosario-born attacker is seriously considering a return to his home country and would welcome the opportunity to wear River's shirt again in a global tournament.
Another player who could return to the club is Lucas Beltrán. The forward, currently in Europe, has a close relationship with River Plate, and his possible comeback is being evaluated. His recent performances in international competitions make him a solid option to strengthen the attack.
In addition, the midfield could welcome Guido Rodríguez, who isn't getting playing time at West Ham and sees River as an ideal opportunity to revive his career. In defense, left-back Lucas Esquivel is also a target to bolster the left flank, considering the demanding rotation required by the international calendar. Gallardo's plan aims high, and there are dreams in Núñez of a competitive team that can vie for the title. The transfer market will be crucial, and River has already begun to move decisively.
On another front, Liverpool are reportedly looking to send Darwin Nunez back to South America to 'revalue himself' with River Plate. Nunez has not been a great asset for the Reds in his third season. The first two were positive, with the Uruguay international striker bagging 33 goals and 19 assists across them. But this term, he has just seven goals and seven assists in all competitions.
As a club record signing at around £85million (including add-ons), Liverpool would have hoped for far more from Nunez. Speculation about him being allowed to leave has been rife of late, with reports stating the Reds are considering allowing Nunez to leave on loan, with an obligation for the side he lands at to buy him for around €40-45million (£34-38m).
DSports suggests Liverpool’s directors have proposed Nunez be loaned back to South America, specifically to River Plate. There, they believe the striker can 'revalue' himself. The Argentine side, being the most successful club in the history of the Primera Division, could provide the environment he needs to regain his form.
However, Nunez's high salary complicates matters, as Liverpool would have to cover part of his contract while he was out on loan. If they were then to sell, River Plate might struggle to pay Nunez’s salary, if they’re unable to do so already. Furthermore, there’s the possibility that River Plate could lose out to Al-Hilal in the chase for Nunez. The report states it’s the 'end of the dream' for the Argentinian side, as the Saudi side would be able to offer a more lucrative deal.
In terms of finances, Al-Hilal has the capability to pay Nunez far better than River Plate, making it a tough decision for the striker. Whether that move would be better for him in terms of the state of his career remains to be seen.
As Liverpool prepares for the summer transfer window, they have also identified Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as their top target. The club has been actively exploring options to strengthen their squad, with Nunez's future remaining uncertain.
The Club World Cup begins on June 15, 2025, and teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting tournament. River Plate's strategies and Liverpool's dilemmas reflect the dynamic nature of football as clubs navigate the complexities of player transfers and team building.
