While the squad enjoys an early vacation after being eliminated by Racing in the round of 16 of the Torneo Clausura, atRiver the machinery is already in motion to build the team that will face the 2026 season. With several departures confirmed, mainly of players whose contracts ended at the end of 2025, and other footballers who have been notified that they will start from behind in the pecking order, the club is simultaneously working on the reinforcements requested by Marcelo Gallardo.
El Muñeco has identified four priority positions: left back, central midfielder, creative midfielder, and center forward. In this context, the first concrete move of the transfer market has emerged. According to various sources, Mariano Barnao, Gallardo's right-hand man, has already made contact to inquire about Fausto Vera's situation, the central midfielder for Atlético Mineiro.
River ya inició gestiones por Fausto Vera
The intention of the Millonario is to bring him in on loan, although in Núñez they do not rule out replicating a model similar to the one used with Giuliano Galoppo at the beginning of 2025: an initial loan with a purchase obligation tied to the achievement of certain objectives. That option would allow the club to avoid an immediate outlay for the full transfer fee.
For now, everything depends on the response from the Brazilian club. A few days ago, it emerged that Mineiro would only consider selling him for a figure close to 4 million dollars, but could also accept a loan with an option or obligation to buy, depending on how negotiations progress. There is caution at River, although optimism is growing.
With the first inquiry made and the list of needs clear, the Millonario hopes to accelerate in the coming weeks to finalize the first signings of the next transfer window.
Fausto Vera's numbers at Mineiro
Since his arrival at Galo in the middle of last year, the former Argentinos Juniors player has played a total of 59 matches, in which he has scored three goals, provided one assist, and received nine yellow cards.
