Gallardo Begins Overhaul at River: Key Players Told to Leave

According to Doble Amarilla, Marcelo Gallardo has taken firm steps to reshape River Plate’s squad following a string of underwhelming results. The early exit from the Club World Cup marked a turning point, prompting the coach to begin a deep overhaul ahead of the season’s second half.

Gallardo has already informed several players they are no longer in his plans. Among the most notable names are Manuel Lanzini and Matías Kranevitter, both under contract until December 2025. While neither was expected to renew, River is now exploring early exits that could generate modest returns. Lanzini has drawn interest from MLS and Saudi clubs, while Kranevitter may remain in Argentina.

Also on the way out are Leandro González Pírez, Federico Gattoni, Santiago Simón, Rodrigo Aliendro, and Matías Rojas. Cutting Gattoni’s loan from Sevilla could involve a significant fee, complicating his departure.

In a separate move, River finalized the sale of Adam Bareiro to Fortaleza in Brazil. The club will receive just over $3 million for 70% of his rights. The Paraguayan forward, brought in by Martín Demichelis, failed to make an impact and had spent the first half of 2025 on loan at Al Rayyan in Qatar.

Gallardo’s message is unmistakable: a new era is beginning at River Plate.