Manchester City ‘accelerate’ efforts to beat Premier League rivals to River Plate sensation’s signature

• Man City plan on being frontrunners in the race to sign River Plate’s Ian Subiabre.

• The winger’s current contract with the Argentine club is valid until December 2028.

• Several other top clubs in the Premier League and Europe are monitoring his progress.

Manchester City are aiming to stay ahead in the race to acquire the signature of River Plate star Ian Subiabre this summer, according to a recent report.

The 19-year-old rose through the ranks of the Argentine club’s academy, making his first team debut in 2024. He has featured in 22 games across competitions for River Plate in the 2025/26 campaign, netting one and providing two assists.

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Subiabre has turned heads with his displays and potential on the pitch, attracting widespread interest from several top clubs across the Premier League and Europe.

Report: Man City expect transfer competition for Subiabre

While Manchester City have been monitoring Subiabre’s progress at River Plate for a few months now, they could face heavy competition in this potential transfer from several of their domestic rivals.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have reportedly registered their formal interest in securing the winger’s services, while Arsenal and Liverpool are also keeping track of his progress.

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Alongside English clubs, prominent names such as Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal, and Lazio are also reported to be eyeing the Argentine prodigy.

Amid this long list of suitors, Manchester City are accelerating efforts to be the frontrunners in the race to sign Subiabre, according to El Intransigente, as relayed by Sport Witness.

The aforementioned report noted that those around the youngster consider City’s interest an indication of significant growth in the player.

The Blues, meanwhile, are speculated to be quietly working behind the scenes to be in a good position if they decide to make a move for the winger this summer.

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Are River Plate open to parting ways with Subiabre?

Subiabre has undoubtedly emerged as one of River Plate’s most promising prospects this season, with this current contract valid until the end of 2028. He has been estimated at €3.5 million by Transfermarkt.

While the young talent adds great value to manager Eduardo Coudet‘s squad, River Plate could consider selling Subiabre to make a hefty profit, especially amid interest from multiple elite clubs.

The Argentine club are expected to demand a reported transfer fee in the range of €8.5 million to 12.7 million to part ways with their talented academy graduate.

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Are Man City at an advantage in their pursuit of Subiabre?

Manchester City may have an advantage over other interested clubs with respect to Subiabre’s potential transfer, especially given their strong relationship with River Plate.

Both clubs have established a firm transfer pipeline in recent years, with the Premier League giants securing high-profile signings of Claudio Echeverri and Julian Alvarez.

Manchester City are also not expected to face any issues in terms of meeting River Plate’s asking price for the player, and could outbid other clubs if an intense transfer battle follows.

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As for Subiabre, even though a move to the Etihad Stadium would ideally be a great step up for the winger, he might initially struggle to find regular game time there, given City’s existing star-studded squad.

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With the summer transfer window officially set to open in just a few days, it remains to be seen if Subiabre makes it to Manchester City’s dugout next season.