In his constant quest to strengthen the team, the River Plate manager is already planning the club’s immediate future, and several big names have appeared on his radar ahead of the global tournament.

DATE, TIME AND VENUE

• River vs. Urawa Red Diamonds
  Tuesday, June 17, at 5:00 p.m. (Argentina time), at Lumen Field in Seattle.
• River vs. Monterrey
  Saturday, June 21, at 11:00 p.m. (Argentina time), at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles.
• River vs. Inter
  Wednesday, June 25, at 11:00 p.m. (Argentina time), at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Marcelo Gallardo is reportedly looking to add one high-profile reinforcement per line. In defense, the position to strengthen is left back. Two options have emerged: Nicolás Tagliafico, currently at Lyon in France, and a long-time target of Gallardo’s, Lucas Esquivel from Atlético Paranaense in Brazil.

In midfield, the name of Guido Rodríguez has come up. Currently at West Ham in England, his contract ends mid-year, and he is open to returning to the club that developed him and where he became a multi-title winner.

Lastly, Gallardo’s obsession for the attack has a name: Lucas Beltrán. The former River striker moved to Europe in mid-2023 after becoming champion and top scorer of the Argentine league. River has missed him ever since. Fiorentina signed him for around €25 million, so bringing him back won't be easy unless River is willing to pay a significant fee or secure a loan deal.

DARWIN NÚÑEZ, A POSSIBLE DREAM?

In recent days, several Argentine media outlets have mentioned Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker as a possible elite signing for River Plate. According to different journalistic sources, it's not an impossible scenario.

With limited playing time at the English club, Núñez is reportedly open to a change of scenery and sees the Club World Cup with River as an appealing opportunity. Money wouldn’t be an issue, as he could be offered a salary similar to what he earns in the Premier League, and he would arrive as a free agent.

The Uruguayan has played 1,959 minutes in 44 matches for Liverpool this season. A Premier League champion, Núñez has scored just 7 goals: five in the league, one in the League Cup, and one in the Champions League.