Anderlecht‘s Defensive Search Hits Snag as river Plate Rejects €3.5 Million Offer for Lautaro Rivero
Anderlecht’s pursuit of defensive reinforcements has been met with a firm “no” from River Plate, who have rejected a €3.5 million offer for promising young defender Lautaro Rivero. The Belgian club, seeking to bolster its backline following Leander Dendoncker’s return to Aston Villa and Jan vertonghen’s retirement, had identified the 21-year-old Argentinian as a key target.
Argentinian journalist Hernan Castillo confirmed Anderlecht’s concrete interest and the submission of a bid for 100% of Rivero’s transfer rights. However,River Plate’s stance is clear: the player is not for sale at this time. Rivero recently extended his contract with the Buenos Aires club until mid-2010, a move that underscores their commitment to his development and their lack of pressure to offload him. This extension also saw his release clause significantly increased to $100 million, a substantial jump from his previous contract which was set to expire in December 2026.
Despite not yet making his official debut for River Plate’s first team, Rivero is highly regarded within the club. He was recalled from a loan spell at Central Cordoba for the Club World Cup, though he did not feature in the tournament. His importance to River Plate is highlighted by his status as the team’s only left-footed central defender, a role that is expected to become more prominent following Gonzalo Pirez’s departure to Estudiantes.
Rivero is described as a 1.85-meter tall defender who excels in duels and possesses strong aerial ability. His footballing qualities are also a significant draw, with particular praise for his precise first pass and his capacity to initiate play from the back. He is also noted for his threat in the opposition penalty area during set pieces, especially with his head, and his willingness to engage in physical battles. Previously, his name had attracted the attention of Chelsea, although no concrete move materialized.
