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€85m wonderkid agreement reached after Chelsea 'WAR'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 27 Sept 2025 11:49 BST
- 4 min read
News
River Plate have managed to tie Ian Subiabre down to a new contract despite Chelsea's persistent courtship of the wonderkid, according to Argentine media.
The Blues' interest in the 18-year-old has been a frequently discussed topic in the youngster's native Argentina. Described as something of a transfer 'war' between Chelsea and River Plate, the latter now appear to have won out - for the time being.
Journalists Juan Patricio Balbi and Cesar Luis Merlo both report that the Buenos Aires giants have managed to agree a new contract with Subiabre, which is a massive blow to Chelsea's hopes of signing him.
Merlo reports that Subiabre has been given a whopping €85 million ($100m) release clause, which puts River Plate in a strong negotiating position going forward.
The good news for Chelsea, though, is that this deal is only postponing the inevitable. Although River Plate want to keep him for the foreseeable future, they accept that Subiabre will head to Europe eventually.
Subiabre only tied down until 2028
The winger has been given an upfront payment by River Plate as an advance on a future transfer, and his new deal will only run until 2028, which is clear evidence that he is expected to leave for greener pastures in the next few years.
Despite this, the extension for Subiabre is a major coup by River Plate, and the timing of it is also crucial. The U20 World Cup kicks off this weekend, and the teenager, who is also eligible to play for host country Chile, is expected to star for Argentina.
European scouts will be keenly following Subiabre and his peers as youth tournaments are excellent opportunities for young players to put themselves in the shop window.
Chelsea will surely keep monitoring the 18-year-old, but signing him has become eminently more difficult thanks to his River Plate extension.
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