Club Brugge is searching for a central defender to support Ivan Leko's attacking football and has identified 22-year-old Argentina international Lautaro Rivero. The defender is under contract with River Plate until the end of 2029, but a transfer is reportedly not being ruled out. Negotiations are at an advanced stage, and Club Brugge was preparing an offer of approximately ten million euros. Rivero is said to be open to a move to Belgium. Club Brugge is monitoring his situation, and River Plate is willing to consider convincing proposals, partly because the club needs income for new signings and wants to reduce the size of its large squad. Rivero is one of the few young players for whom they can ask for a significant fee. However, Club Brugge faces competition, as Real Sociedad has been following him for months and, according to AS, has contacted his entourage. Real Betis has also made enquiries, while Atlético Madrid is monitoring him as a potential fit for Diego Simeone. From Italy, AS Roma and Udinese have also been named among the interested clubs. Rivero joined River Plate in January 2024 and has one cap for Argentina. In the 2025/2026 season, he has made 14 appearances and scored one goal in the Torneo Apertura, with an additional four appearances in the playoffs and one in the Torneo Clausura. His current Transfermarkt market value is €7.00m. Recent reports on the player's valuation from July 2026 include a reported asking price of over €12 million from River Plate, while Atlético Madrid was said to be preparing a €10 million offer.