Tottenham make formal contact in ‘last few hours’ to sign £22m South American star
Tottenham Hotspur Make Formal Move for River Plate Starlet Ian Subiabre
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of promising young forward Ian Subiabre, having made formal contact with River Plate regarding a potential transfer, according to fresh reports emerging from Argentina.
South America has long been considered a breeding ground for footballing talent, particularly Argentina, which has produced countless elite players who have gone on to shine on the European stage. River Plate, one of the continent’s most iconic and successful clubs, has played a pivotal role in developing these stars. In recent years alone, the club has seen the likes of Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez rise through its academy ranks before sealing high-profile moves to Europe. Fernández initially joined Benfica and later signed for Chelsea, while Álvarez made the switch to Manchester City before moving on to Atlético Madrid. Both players were instrumental in Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning campaign.
Another highly-rated talent, Franco Mastantuono, is set to follow in their footsteps. After catching the eye of multiple European giants, including Paris Saint-Germain, the 17-year-old midfielder agreed to a move to Real Madrid and will officially join the Spanish giants once he turns 18 later this year.
Now, River Plate may be preparing to say goodbye to yet another rising star. According to a report relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham have officially expressed interest in Ian Subiabre and have made contact with the Argentine outfit in recent hours to explore the terms of a potential transfer.
Spurs Eye Another South American Gem
Subiabre, an 18-year-old left-footed winger, has been slowly making his way into River Plate’s first-team setup, largely being used as a rotation option. Despite limited appearances at senior level, he has already represented Argentina at the U20 level, taking part in the prestigious CONMEBOL U20 Championship earlier this year. His performances, both for club and country, have not gone unnoticed.
The teenager is currently under contract with River Plate until December 2026, and his deal includes a release clause in the region of $30 million (approximately £22 million). River Plate remain firm in their stance that Subiabre will not be sold unless his release clause is fully met.
Chelsea were also said to be keeping a close eye on the youngster, but ultimately decided to back away from a potential deal after learning of River Plate’s unwillingness to negotiate below the buyout amount.
Tottenham, however, appear more willing to negotiate creatively. Rather than activating the full release clause outright, the Premier League side are reportedly planning to submit a structured proposal that could include staggered payments, performance-related bonuses, and even a future sell-on clause – all in a bid to persuade the Buenos Aires-based club to accept an offer below the clause’s full value.
A Pattern of Youth Investment at Spurs
The North London club’s interest in Subiabre is in keeping with a broader strategy under the club’s new footballing vision. Spurs have increasingly focused on identifying and developing young talent from around the world. Just last year, the club signed highly-rated striker Alejo Véliz from Rosario Central – another Argentine club – as part of their youth-first recruitment strategy.
In addition to South American imports, Spurs have also added promising young players from closer to home and around Europe, such as Archie Gray from Leeds United, Wilson Odobert from Burnley, and Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall from Djurgårdens IF. All of these signings reflect Tottenham’s long-term ambition of building a core of talented young players capable of making the leap to Premier League football.
Subiabre, with his speed, technical ability, and flair on the left flank, could be the latest in that line. While he may not be ready to start immediately in the Premier League, he is viewed as a long-term project with significant potential.
What Happens Next?
With formal contact now made, the ball is effectively in River Plate’s court. Tottenham’s willingness to negotiate a flexible deal could give them an edge, especially if River are open to finding a compromise rather than sticking rigidly to the release clause.
As the summer transfer window progresses, all eyes will be on whether Tottenham follow up with a concrete offer and whether River Plate can be convinced to part ways with yet another gem from their fabled youth academy.
For now, the interest is real and growing – and Spurs may well be on the verge of adding another exciting prospect to their ever-expanding pool of future stars.