Buenos Aires, December 18 (NA) – River Plate and Boca Juniors, lifelong rivals, have begun to move in the transfer market for the upcoming season, and both have set their sights on Santiago Ascacibar, a key figure and captain of Estudiantes de La Plata. According to the Argentine News Agency, both the 'Millionaire' and the 'Xeneize' would be interested in adding the 28-year-old central midfielder to their ranks. If he were to decide to train under Marcelo Gallardo, he would compete in the Copa Sudamericana, as River Plate failed to qualify for the continent's most important tournament. The truth is that the saga surrounding the Estudiantes player has just begun, so it is far from over, and it will be necessary to wait for the transfer window to progress to see if the midfielder's destination will be Núñez, Brandsen 805, La Plata, or another team that presents an tempting proposal to the Board of Directors led by the 'Brujita'. Nevertheless, according to statements by Juan Sebastián Verón, president of the red-and-white club, Estudiantes 'wants to keep him,' but acknowledged that 'there is an economic issue where they cannot compete' with teams like Boca or River. Although the 'Banda' has sounded out the situation of the former Stuttgart (Germany) midfielder, they have not yet made a formal offer, so the doors are wide open for the Ribera team to make an attempt to sign the player born in La Plata. With the 'Pincha', Ascacibar would play in the Copa Libertadores 2026, the same situation if he were to sign for the blue and gold team. Initially, the Núñez club would be in the lead, but the blue and gold environment has a formal proposal prepared that will be presented in the coming days. With his eye on the Trofeo de Campeones against Platense, the 'Pincha' midfielder is focused on adding another title with the La Plata team after the recent victory over Racing on penalties in the 2025 Clausura Tournament. Likewise, the player would not see a possible departure from the 'León', in need of sales, in search of new horizons, badly.
