Lucas Beltran has ended his European stint by rejoining River Plate on a loan deal that will become permanent in 2027. The Argentine forward reluctantly accepted the move back to South America after failing to secure his future in European football.
River Plate announced that the 25-year-old has signed until June 2027, with an obligation to buy clause included in the arrangement. Fiorentina will receive €6 million for the transfer and retain 50 per cent of any future sale fee, protecting their financial interest in the player’s long-term value.
Financial setback for Fiorentina
The Tuscany-based club paid €19.7 million to sign Beltran from River Plate in the summer of 2023. His return to Buenos Aires comes less than two years after that initial transfer, with Fiorentina recouping only a fraction of their original outlay through the €6 million fee.
The structure of the deal reflects Beltran’s diminished market value following an underwhelming spell in Italy and Spain. While the loan arrangement allows River Plate to delay the full financial commitment, the Serie A side have secured a significant sell-on clause should the forward rediscover his form in Argentina.
Failed Valencia loan
Beltran spent last season on loan at Valencia, where he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. He contributed three goals and two assists across 30 competitive appearances for the Spanish side, who opted not to pursue a permanent deal.
The forward had initially resisted returning to South America last summer, hoping to prove himself in European leagues. He rejected the possibility of a comeback to River Plate at that time, instead securing the temporary switch to Valencia. However, with no viable options remaining in Europe after his return to Florence, he has now accepted the move back to his former club.
What happens next
The loan structure gives River Plate two seasons to assess Beltran’s impact before the obligation to buy activates in 2027. The forward previously came through the River Plate academy and will aim to replicate the form that prompted Fiorentina’s substantial investment in 2023.
For Fiorentina, the departure clears the player from their wage bill while preserving a financial stake in any future success. The club will monitor his progress in the Argentine top flight, knowing that a strong performance could trigger a profitable secondary transfer.