In a surprise move in the transfer market, River Plate is close to finalizing the sale of striker Esequiel Barco to Spartak Moscow for a figure close to 16 million dollars. The news, which began to circulate in the last few hours, represents an unexpected opportunity for the Argentine club, which had not planned to part with the attacker at the beginning of the transfer window.
According to reports from renowned journalist César Luis Merlo, who specializes in transfers, Barco is scheduled to travel to Russia this week. It is expected that, if no setbacks arise, the player will sign a four-year contract with his new team.
The sale of Barco will provide River with a significant financial injection, which will allow the club to look for new reinforcements to strengthen its squad for next season. In parallel to the forward’s departure, the millionaire team has reactivated negotiations to sign Uruguayan striker Luciano Rodríguez. This move comes following Rodríguez’s transfer from Liverpool in Montevideo to Girona in Spain failed.
Esequiel Barco, who came through the youth ranks of Independiente, joined River in January 2022 from Atlanta United of the MLS. Initially, his incorporation was made through a two-season loan, with a purchase option that was exercised at the end of 2023 for an approximate amount of 7 million dollars. Before that, River had paid 4,400,000 dollars for the player’s loan.
In recent matches, Barco has alternated between starting and substituting under the technical direction of Martín Demichelis, leaving a significant mark on the team during his time at the club.
