Francisco Ortega is set for a homecoming as Olympiacos lower their valuation to facilitate a move, marking a swift return to River Plate.
Olympiacos’ Argentine full-back Francisco Ortega is looking to leave the side this season. As reported by several media outlets, including Sportime.gr, the preferred destination for the 27-year-old is a club in his home country, River Plate. Sportime.gr also revealed that Olympiacos and River Plate are close to sealing the deal, with only some final details to be adjusted.
Olympiacos had, initially, asked an amount for Ortega that they knew that any club would be unwilling to pay. This was done so that the club could keep looking for a replacement for the full-back, without hindering the team’s preparations in the Netherlands. However, when River Plate came knocking, the Piraeus-based outfit went back on the starting amount and asked for €6 million for the transfer of the Argentine full-back.
As conveyed recently, the Red and Whites would be willing to finalise the deal for a sum of around €5 million, including bonuses guaranteed to raise the base amount, as they now wish to move on from the player and sign a new face to fill his boots. It is to be noted that Ortega’s current contract with Olympiacos is due to expire on 30 June 2028.
It is also noteworthy that Francisco Ortega himself wishes to join the Argentine club, and this is sure to contribute significantly to a smooth finalisation of talks and a transfer between Olympiacos and River Plate.
Born on 19 March 1999 in Santa Fe, Argentina, Francisco Ortega graduated from the academy of Argentine club Vélez Sarsfield in 2017 and made his debut for their first team the same year. During his spell at the club, the full-back played in 84 league fixtures, scoring 3 goals in the process. He left the club in 2023 to join his current club, Olympiacos, on a free transfer. He has since appeared in 67 official Greek Super League games for Thrylos and has scored a solitary goal.
Ortega has won all of his career trophies up to now during his time at Olympiacos. These accolades include titles in each of the Super League Greece, the Greek Football Cup, the Greek Super Cup, and the UEFA Conference League.
The announcement of Francisco Ortega’s transfer to River Plate is therefore imminent and can be made in the next few days to come. The deal, as it stands, is on the verge of completion with only a few details left to be sorted out.
