Aston Villa and Manchester City are both keeping an eye on River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán, and the Argentine club are now trying to protect themselves from growing European interest.
Aston Villa have been repeatedly linked with the 21-year-old in recent months. The latest claims from Argentina go further, saying both Manchester City have also sent scouts to monitor him.
That attention appears to be having an effect at River. They are working on a new contract which could take Beltrán’s release clause from around €21m (£18.2m) all the way to €100m (£86.7m). For the clubs watching him, that’s quite a difference.
Aston Villa and Manchester City send scouts
El Intransigente covered Beltrán’s situation and bring together information from several Argentine journalists.
Flavio Pace says Aston Villa are among the sides following the goalkeeper closely. Atlético Madrid, Real Betis and Benfica are also named.
The newspaper then adds that Aston Villa and Manchester City have sent scouts to follow Beltrán’s development in person. Barcelona, Benfica and Betis have reportedly done the same. And as we covered just a few months ago, other reports in Argentina claimed Chelsea were tracking his progress.
There are also claims that Beltrán has already received “very strong financial offers” from Europe. The report doesn’t identify which clubs made them, so there’s no suggestion those offers came from Villa or City… So that’s worth keeping separate from the scouting claims.
River want to make him much more expensive
River’s response could make things considerably more complicated for any interested club. Beltrán’s current deal runs until December 2027. His release clause is reported at approximately €21m (£18.2m).
River are now negotiating an extension until December 2029. The plan would also see that clause rocket to €100m (£86.7m). And local journalist Sebastián Srur says discussions are already moving in the right direction.
“Santiago Beltrán’s renewal is progressing very well and he won’t leave for free,” he said. “It should be now, although I don’t know exactly when it will happen. The clause today is around €21m. The idea is for him to renew.”
Germán Balcarce has also reported talks over an extension, while César Luis Merlo subsequently backed up that information. So things seems to be gathering pace.
And one more thing: Beltrán is now represented by agent Gustavo Goñi, who is involved in all those discussions. That’s a change from earlier this year, when reports around his breakthrough said his family were handling his affairs without an agent.
January could become important
Beltrán has enjoyed a remarkable 2026. He initially got his opportunity following Franco Armani’s injury and has since established himself in River’s first team. He has also made his senior Argentina debut and trained alongside Emiliano Martínez.
His performances in penalty shootouts have helped his reputation too. The youngster was decisive against San Lorenzo and saved an important penalty against Red Bull Bragantino in Brazil.
January 2027 is now being presented in Argentina as a potentially decisive point. River want Beltrán tied down to a longer contract and protected by that enormous €100m (£86.7m) clause. Aston Villa and Manchester City, in the meanwhile, will keep watching.
