Chelsea will reportedly attempt to sign 22-year-old newly-debuted Argentine international Lautaro Rivero from River Plate next year.
According to a report by Argentine outlet River Noticias, Lautaro Rivero is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are eager to bolster their defensive unit by signing a centre-back next year. So, the 22-year-old River Plate prospect has emerged as a target for the West London club.
However, a move may not be straightforward, as the Moreno native has a release clause worth €100 million in his contract with River Plate. Nevertheless, the South American defender has emerged as a target for Chelsea, with a move next year possible.
Lautaro Rivero and his recent rise
Lautaro Rivero is the latest promising defender to rise in prominence in his homeland. The youngster spent his formative years in Argentina and graduated from the youth division at River Plate. The 22-year-old has made significant progress in the last few years, despite not being a regular for Los Millonarios.
The Argentine defensive prospect’s progress has helped him break into his national side. The youngster has made 14 appearances thus far for River Plate, accumulating over 1,100 minutes of game time. Meanwhile, Rivero’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, with Chelsea among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
London calling?
Chelsea’s interest in Lautaro Rivero makes sense. The Blues have been scouring the market for a centre-back for several months. Enzo Maresca discussed the possibility of signing a central defender in the summer transfer window, but a deal did not materialise. However, after losing Levi Colwill to a long-term knee injury, Chelsea can do with a centre-back.
Additionally, Axel Disasi has no future at Chelsea, and the West London club must pursue a long-term replacement. Several candidates, including Antonio Rudiger, have thus emerged on Chelsea’s radar, with Rivero also a viable target. However, a move may not be straightforward, as the youngster has a release clause worth €100 million in his contract.
Meanwhile, several Premier League clubs, including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, have also shown interest in signing the River Plate prospect from the historic club. So, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can beat the competition to the 22-year-old Argentine defender’s signature in the coming months.