River Plate contact Bournemouth’s Julio Soler after Gallardo demands reinforcements

River Plate have initiated contact with the representatives of Bournemouth defender Julio Soler as they search for left-back reinforcements ahead of the 2026 season, according to TyC Sports. Gallardo has made it clear to the board that he wants additions, and the club are now moving aggressively in the market to meet those demands.

Soler, who has struggled for minutes at Bournemouth, has emerged as a potential alternative to River’s primary target, Zenit full-back Román Vega. Gallardo wants competition — or, at minimum, reliable cover — for Marcos Acuña, who remains the established starter but cannot shoulder the full workload alone.

River’s interest in Soler is driven largely by availability. The 23-year-old has hardly featured for Bournemouth this season, spending most of the campaign on the bench, and River’s scouting department believe a return to Argentine football could appeal to him.

That prompted the club to reach out to his agents to gauge interest. Early conversations were exploratory rather than formal, but they underline River’s intent: Gallardo wants depth on the left, and the club are casting a wide net to secure it.

Sources in Argentina say River would be prepared to structure a deal as a loan with either an option or obligation to buy, giving them financial flexibility while ensuring Soler arrives with a pathway to a permanent move.

The challenge for River Plate is that neither Bournemouth nor Soler have shown strong enthusiasm for the move so far. A report yesterday suggested the Cherries are not keen to sanction a loan at this time, and there is no indication the player is pushing for an exit.

That doesn’t close the door — but it means River have work to do. Bournemouth may prefer to keep squad depth through the winter, while Soler, despite limited minutes, might believe he can force his way into Andoni Iraola’s plans.

From our perspective, this feels like a negotiation that will depend heavily on timing. If Soler remains sidelined through December, River’s chances increase dramatically. If he earns minutes, the window could close quickly.

Gallardo’s request is simple: River need a left-back who can offer defensive stability and attacking support without a major drop-off from Acuña. Soler fits the profile — young, athletic, developed in Europe and comfortable in possession. Vega remains the priority, but Soler is now firmly in the mix.

Although some may argue River should pursue a more experienced option, Soler offers a blend of development potential and tactical versatility that fits Gallardo’s long-term rebuild.

River will continue talks with Soler’s camp while progressing negotiations for Vega. Much depends on Bournemouth’s stance over the coming weeks — and whether Soler decides a return to Argentina is the right career step.

👉 Should River push harder for Soler, or focus fully on signing Vega from Zenit?