Buenos Aires, January 13 (NA) – River Plate suffered its first major blow in the current transfer market after it was confirmed that forward Santino Andino, who was a key target for head coach Marcelo Gallardo, is all set to continue his career at a European club. According to information accessed by the Argentine News Agency (NA), Godoy Cruz, the club that owns Andino's rights and was in negotiations with River for a possible transfer, has reportedly given the green light to Panathinaikos of Greece, the second most successful club in the country, although it is currently going through a 15-year drought without a league title. Panathinaikos' offer would be €10 million for 75% of Andino's rights for a four-year contract, as detailed by transfer specialist journalist Germán García Grova. This would make Andino the most expensive sale in the history of the Mendoza-based club, which will have a solid financial cushion to strengthen as best as possible for the extremely tough season ahead in the Primera Nacional. Despite Andino's departure, River remains very active in the transfer market, having already secured the arrivals of midfielders Fausto Vera and Aníbal Moreno, while the signing of Uruguayan left-back Matías Viña was finalized in recent days. River faces a crucial 2026 ahead, where it will compete in the Apertura and Clausura tournaments, as well as the Copa Argentina domestically, while internationally, it will have to play in the Copa Sudamericana after 11 consecutive appearances in the Copa Libertadores.
