River Plate spends $67 million and keeps searching for another centre-back after Freitas sale

Joaquín Freitas has already arrived in Rio de Janeiro to join Flamengo, completing a rapid transfer that has brought River Plate a substantial fee but angered some supporters.

Flamengo paid $15 million for 80% of Freitas’s rights. Acassuso, which held 25% of a future sale, will receive up to $1 million. River had bought Freitas from the club in January 2024 for only $50,000.

The transfer followed River’s initial refusal to sell because the club believed Freitas had the potential to establish himself in the first team. His departure ultimately went ahead after the player chose to pursue the move, which he viewed as important for his sporting development. In 29 matches for River, he scored once.

Freitas’s sale joins River’s transfers of Facundo Colidio, Kevin Castaño and Andrés Herrera. The club expects to receive more than $25 million from the four departures, including conditional payments in the Colidio and Castaño deals. Colidio moved to Vasco da Gama for $4.5 million for half his rights, with another $5.5 million possible if stated targets are met. Castaño joined Atlético Mineiro on loan with a $5 million purchase obligation for half his rights if he reaches specified targets. Herrera moved to Columbus Crew for $1.2 million.

River has spent $67 million on reinforcements and is still considering one more centre-back before the transfer window closes. Francisco Álvarez of Argentinos Juniors and Sheyko Studer of Independiente Rivadavia are the two local targets. That search is separate from Martínez Quarta’s situation, as he has offers from Arab clubs and could leave on loan with an option to buy.

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I think everything was very positive. I enjoyed it a lot. I am very grateful to the people and the club. Now I will enjoy this opportunity, which came about very quickly, but that is football.