River Plate sporting director Enzo Francescoli has indicated Rafael Santos Borre could leave the Argentine giants next month amid reported interest from Rangers, speaking to ESPN, via Ole.
At a time in which River Plate are already fighting a losing battle in their attempt to keep Aston Villa target Julian Alvarez at the Estadio Monumental, they really could have done without any uncertainty hanging over their star striker too.
Santos Borre, a former Atletico Madrid and Villarreal player, has won a remarkable five trophies since joining River Plate in 2017. And his form, too, reflects that of his club as a whole.
Santos Borre scored a career-best 22 times last season and has eight in 13 league matches so far this term.
And with Rangers facing up to the prospect of losing Alfredo Morelos to Porto, the Scottish Premiership champions appear to have identified another firebrand Colombian as his replacement.
Will former Atletico misfit Rafael Santos Borre thrive at Rangers?
El Deportivo reported last week that Santos Borre has emerged as a top target for Steven Gerrard’s side.
His contract expires on Thursday too, meaning River are potentially just 72 hours away from losing one of the hottest strikers in South America for nothing.
“Borre’s continuity does not depend on us,” says Francescoli, highlighting the fact the in-form forward is free to decide his own destiny.
“For us, he is a free player at the end of this month.
“Rafael told us that after the Copa America, he will make a decision. If he decides to continue, it will be a responsibility of River to be able to make the new contract.”
The Copa America will conclude on 10 July, by which time Santos Borre may have made a decision about where his future lies.
After failing to make his mark in Spanish football, the 25-year-old has unfinished business in Europe. He has certainly come a long way since that ill-fated spell at Atletico too.
“The truth is that we have not talked about the issue of Borre. He is breaking it there in River, I am happy for him,” Diego Simeone said recently.
“He came very young (to Atletico) and the truth is that his growth has been tremendous – phenomenal.”
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