Elche Targeting Out-of-Favor River Midfielder Santiago Simón

Elche has opened talks with River Plate to sign 23-year-old midfielder Santiago Simón, who was recently informed by head coach Martín Gallardo that he won’t be part of the squad plans for the second half of the year, Olé reported. Simón was among the players Gallardo deemed expendable after the team returned from the Club World Cup, where the midfielder saw no action.

Once considered a promising talent under Gallardo’s first stint, Simón’s role has significantly diminished this year—he has featured in just 15 matches in 2025. With a contract running through 2026 and having recovered from a late-tournament injury, the young player now seems poised to move on. Elche, newly promoted to La Liga, is looking to add youthful depth to its squad and sees Simón as a valuable addition.

Although negotiations are still in the early stages, the Spanish club—led by Argentine agent-turned-executive Christian Bragarnik—has already expressed its interest. While River secures the arrivals of Maximiliano Salas and Lucas Cepeda, Simón could become one of the club’s most notable departures this transfer window.