Aston Villa linked with River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltran

Aston Villa are among the clubs said to be tracking River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltran, according to Sports Mole, who cite a report from Argentine outlet El Transigente. The 21-year-old has made 38 senior appearances for his boyhood club, keeping 15 clean sheets, and earned his sole Argentina cap as a substitute in a friendly against Honduras in June.

Manchester City are also named as admirers, with both Premier League sides alleged to have sent scouts to watch him play. Atletico Madrid, Real Betis and Benfica are mentioned as further interested parties ahead of a potential move next year.

Beltran's current deal runs until December 2027 and carries an £18.2m release clause. River Plate are reportedly keen to tie him to improved terms that would lift that buy-out figure to £86m, a valuation neither English club would consider meeting in the short term.

Any transfer would have to wait until at least the January 2027 window, which opens on New Year's Day. Villa overhauled their goalkeeping department during the summer, bringing in Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma after Emiliano Martínez completed his move to Chelsea. Veteran Marco Bizot remains on the books as cover.

For Beltran himself, a switch to Europe at this stage of his career is far from certain. Having progressed through the River Plate academy to become a significant asset for one of Argentina's biggest teams, he may seek guarantees over first-team football before committing to a move abroad.