River targets Matías Viña to reinforce the left-back position and has already sent an offer

While Marcelo Gallardo leads a demanding preseason with the goal of improving performance for 2026, River keeps moving pieces in the transfer market. So far, Fausto Vera and Aníbal Moreno are the first additions, but the board is targeting more reinforcements to strengthen a squad that will look to regain ground at both domestic and international levels.

After the departure of Milton Casco, the left-back position became a priority spot to reinforce. Although Marcos Acuña delivered solid performances during 2025, in Núñez they believe that he needs direct competition in the position to sustain the intensity that Muñeco demands.

In that scenario, El Millonario tried to negotiate with Bournemouth for Julio Soler, although without concrete progress, in addition to inquiring about the situations of Román Vega (Zenit), Alexandro Bernabei (Internacional) and Elías Baez (San Lorenzo). This Monday, an unexpected name emerged: Matías Viña, a Uruguayan defender from Flamengo, for whom it has already sent the first offer.

Viña, a member of the 2025 Copa Libertadores-winning squad, did not log minutes due to the dominant presence of Ayrton Lucas and Alex Sandro in that position. The 28-year-old player is looking to gain playing time to enter his national team's consideration ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a key factor that River intends to capitalize on.

In addition to playing as a full-back, the Uruguayan can play as a midfielder, an extra asset that appeals to the coaching staff to expand options on the left flank.

According to various sources, the proposal from the Núñez side is a one-year loan with a purchase option, a formula imposed in this transfer window that would allow the club to bring in the player without immediately compromising the institution's finances.

Viña's performances at Flamengo

Since his arrival at Mengão at the beginning of 2024, the Uruguayan has played 32 matches, in which he scored one goal, provided two assists and received two yellow cards. In addition, in his almost two years with the Rio de Janeiro side, he has won four titles: 2024 Copa do Brasil, 2025 Supercopa do Brasil, 2025 Brasileirão and 2025 Copa Libertadores.