After many comings and goings, Kevin Castaño is finally a new addition to River. The final amount that the Núñez club had to disburse was 13.8 million gross, placing second in the top of the most expensive purchases in the club's history, just surpassed by "Oso" Prato.
At the close of the transfer market, River couldn't reach an agreement with Krasnodar and Cruz Azul (owner of 30% of the Colombian's transfer) and needed a high-quality midfielder to strengthen the midfield. This is why Marcelo Gallardo pressed, and the management ended up offering that large amount for 100% of his transfer.
Castaño se sumará a River en los próximos días
The Colombian's incorporation became one of the most expensive, surpassing the recent return of Sebastián Driussi, who was also bought in this transfer market. So, how did the rest of the Top 5 look with Castaño's inclusion?
TOP 5: Ezequiel Barco (2023) - around 10 million
The former Independiente player arrived on loan for two years at the beginning of 2022 from Atlanta United in exchange for 4.4 million dollars, with a purchase option for 7. Although the final total is 11.4 million, it never emerged if the club owed any of the 9 loan installments and if it finished paying the entire fee. What is known is that the Millionaire paid around 10 million for the midfielder and was later sold for 16 to Spartak Moscow.
River pagó cerca de 10 millones en total por Barco
TOP 4: Rodrigo Villagra (2024) - around 10 million
After Enzo Pérez's departure, the central midfielder was the main target for Martín Demichelis's coaching staff to fill his position. River had to pay around 10 million gross for the entire transfer to Talleres. Additionally, the operation included signing money, performance bonuses, player percentage, and priority for purchasing youth players.
In the negotiation details, the Millionaire paid 5 million dollars in cash and ceded an extra 25% of Federico Girotti's transfer, valued at 200 thousand dollars (this nullified the objectives that were in effect from the previous transfer of the forward, which added another 600 thousand). To this amount, another 1.3 million is added for achieved objectives and priority over the purchase of youth players Matías Gómez, Bruno Torresi, and one that didn't emerge.
Villagra llegó como promesa y se parece que se va por la puerta chica
TOP 3: Sebastián Driussi (2025) - 10 million
As mentioned earlier, the forward was surpassed by Castaño in the podium of the most expensive purchases, however, the amount River had to pay is by no means negligible. To bring him back, the Millionaire ended up giving 10 million to Austin FC after a very long negotiation.
La vuelta de Driussi fue una de las más caras del club
TOP 1: Lucas Pratto (2018) - 14 million
In that historic 2018, River put forward 11 million dollars, plus another 3 for objectives, to acquire the services of the forward from São Paulo. Although initially, Rodolfo D'Onofrio's management was questioned for the player's past at Boca and the exorbitant expense it meant for the club, "Oso" ended up performing very well, even scoring two key goals against his former club in the Copa Libertadores final matches.
El Oso, uno de los héroes de Madrid
The Top 10 most expensive purchases of the club:
*this transfer market
Lucas Pratto: in 2018 from São Paulo - 14 million dollars
* KEVIN CASTAÑO: in 2025 from Krasnodar - 13.8 million dollars
* Sebastián Driussi: in 2025 from Austin - 10 million dollars
Rodrigo Villagra: in 2024 from Talleres - 10 million dollars.
Miguel Borja: in 2022 from Junior de Barranquilla - 8.6 million dollars
* Lucas Martínez Quarta: in 2025 from Fiorentina - 7.21 million dollars
Ezequiel Barco: in 2021 from Atlanta United - 7 million + 4.4 million dollars
Nicolás De la Cruz: in 2017 from Liverpool - 4 million + 3.35 million dollars
Ariel Ortega: in 2000 from Parma - 5.15 million dollars
Teófilo Gutiérrez: in 2013 from Cruz Azul - 4.95 million dollars
