Aston Villa are pursuing River Plate’s Santiago Beltrán and are planning to make an effort to bring him to the Premier League in the winter market.
The goalkeeper’s rise at River Plate this year has alerted a few European clubs, including Aston Villa.
Despite being 22 years old, he made his first team debut earlier this year. Since then, he kept 19 clean sheets and conceded 36 goals in 45 matches.
Aston Villa in picture for a while
Last month, we relayed news of former Villans star Emiliano Martínez recommending Unai Emery’s side to sign the Argentina international.
Earlier this week, Sport Witness covered a report from Argentina explaining that the Villa Park club are preparing an offer. There was no mention of the figure.
Besides the Europa League winners, West Ham United and Atlético Madrid are also in the mix. River Plate, for their part, want over $15m [€13.4m] to start transfer negotiations.
Journalist Sebastián Srur now further backs up Aston Villa and two other clubs’ interest, relayed by Soy del Millo.
“Aston Villa are one of the teams pursuing Santiago Beltrán, along with Fiorentina and Atlético Madrid,” he said.
Aston Villa’s plan for Argentine
The European clubs’ interest is a big concern for River Plate, who are keen to offer him an improved contract.
Santiago Beltrán’s contract expires in December 2027. The South American club want to extend it until 2030 and include a $100m [€90m] release clause. The Villans and other clubs’ interest make the renewal complicated. These clubs have made enquiries, without the report specifying whether it’s with his camp, club or both.
Unai Emery’s side, for their part, ‘promise to make a strong push’ to sign the stopper in January.
Sebastián Srur believes the goalkeeper is likely to change clubs in the next window.
Srur explained: “Every day I get the feeling more and more that Santiago Beltrán is leaving, he’s increasingly likely to leave.”
On Wednesday, TyC Sports stated the Argentine club will need over €13.4m to negotiate. The European media mentioned the starting price as €15m. Either way, these figures are affordable for Aston Villa.
