Lucas Beltran has finally accepted a move to River Plate, with Fiorentina pocketing €6m and 50 per cent of the future sale fee.
There had already been suggestions in Italy and Argentina over the last week that the two clubs were in full agreement.
The problem, as it was last year, was getting the striker to accept a return to South America, because he was adamant that he’d be able to break the European Leagues at the age of 25.
Now River Plate have announced that the player has joined them again, on loan until June 2027 with an obligation to buy.
Beltran back at River Plate
epa11687970 Fiorentina’s foward Lucas Beltran celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match ACF Fiorentina vs AS Roma at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, 27 October 2024. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI
This represents a return for Beltran, who spent time in the River Plate academy before his €19.7m transfer to Fiorentina in the summer of 2023.
He had been pushed towards a comeback last summer when told to find himself a new club, but instead went to Valencia on loan.
After scoring three goals with two assists in 30 competitive games, the versatile forward was returned to Florence.
Multiple sources in Argentina are confident Fiorentina will pocket €6m for effectively half of his contract, so are owed 50 per cent of any future sale fee.
