Atlético Madrid is reportedly tracking River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán as a potential long-term replacement for Jan Oblak, with his €25 million release clause and Italian passport making him an attractive option.
Atlético Madrid’s goalkeeping position has been in the hands of the Slovenian goalkeeper since 2014. It is not the first time Jan Oblak’s name has been discussed by the club’s sporting management, which has reportedly set its sights on one of Argentina’s biggest football prospects for the future. His price and nationality could make his integration into the Spanish capital club’s structure easier.
Atlético Madrid’s sporting department continues to plan the coming seasons. Recent reports point to several names being considered for the moment when the club needs to find a replacement for Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak. His current contract expires in 2028, and at 33 years old, he is gradually approaching the final stage of his career with the Rojiblancos. The latest name to emerge as a potential addition to the goalkeeping department at the Metropolitano Stadium comes from Argentina.
According to AS, Atlético Madrid has joined clubs such as Fiorentina, Inter Milan and Juventus in monitoring Argentine goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán. At just 22 years old, he has established himself as River Plate’s first-choice goalkeeper. His contract expires at the end of 2027, and his release clause is far from prohibitive for the major European clubs interested in signing him.
Santiago Beltrán currently has a €25 million release clause at the Estadio Monumental. He is considered one of the latest major prospects in Argentine football and has already received several call-ups to Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina national team. Reports in Spain indicate that Atlético Madrid is closely monitoring his development and that the time to make a definitive move for Jan Oblak’s future replacement could arrive sooner rather than later.
The Rojiblancos are also taking the Argentine goalkeeper’s dual nationality into account. Santiago Beltrán holds an Italian passport, an important factor that would allow him to avoid occupying one of Atlético Madrid’s non-EU player slots each season. As mentioned, Italian clubs are also keeping a close eye on his performances, with major European sides such as Fiorentina, Inter Milan and Juventus following the young goalkeeper’s progress.
If the deal eventually goes ahead, it will not happen before the summer of 2027. This is when Atlético Madrid will begin forming its squad for the following season, and by then Santiago Beltrán is expected to have decided whether or not to renew his contract with River Plate. The Buenos Aires club intends to increase his release clause over the coming months to prevent losing another promising talent for what it considers a relatively insignificant fee.