Torino Stands Firm: Simeone Won’t Be Sold to River Plate Despite Striker’s Request

FolioPitch.com – 27 June 2026 | In a firm stance that has captured headlines across the football world, Torino has issued a clear message: Giovanni Simeone will not be sold to River Plate. The Italian club’s steadfast position, encapsulated in the Torino warning Simeone won t be sold to River Plate, comes despite the striker‘s reported desire to return to his boyhood club in Argentina.

The 30-year-old forward, who turns 31 next month, has spent the vast majority of his professional career in Italy since leaving River Plate for Genoa in 2016. After stints with Fiorentina, Cagliari, Hellas Verona, and Napoli, Simeone joined Torino last summer on an initial loan that was later made permanent. According to Argentine transfer expert Cesar Luis Merlo, the player met with Torino President Urbano Cairo this week to express his wish to return to River Plate. However, the club’s response was unequivocal: Simeone is not for sale.

The Torino warning Simeone won t be sold to River Plate underscores the club’s commitment to the striker, who has been a key contributor this season. Simeone scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 32 Serie A appearances for Torino, proving his worth as a reliable centre-forward. The club invested significantly in securing his permanent transfer from Napoli, paying €7.2 million plus up to €1 million in add-ons, and he remains under contract until June 2028, with an option to extend for an additional year.

Reports from Argentina suggest that Simeone is eager for a return to his homeland, where he could rejoin River Plate, the club where he began his career. Yet, Torino’s management has made it clear that they view the player as an integral part of their plans. The Torino warning Simeone won t be sold to River Plate serves as a strong statement of intent, especially after the club’s recent struggles in Serie A, where they finished mid-table and are looking to build for the future.

Torino’s resolve is not surprising given the financial and strategic investment they have made in Simeone. The club’s hierarchy, led by President Cairo, is determined to retain their top talents and avoid being swayed by transfer overtures, even from prestigious clubs like River Plate. For River Plate, the prospect of bringing back a proven goalscorer would be enticing, but Torino’s stance leaves little room for negotiation.

This situation highlights the broader tensions between European clubs and South American sides, where players often seek emotional returns to their roots. However, for Torino, the priority is clear: keep Simeone at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The Torino warning Simeone won t be sold to River Plate is not just a rejection of a specific offer but a declaration of the club’s ambition to remain competitive in Serie A.

As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen whether River Plate will test Torino’s resolve with an enhanced bid. For now, Torino has drawn a line in the sand, and Simeone remains a Granata. The club’s message is unmistakable: no amount of nostalgia or persuasion will change their position. Simeone, for his part, has been professional, continuing to train and play with dedication. But the ball is clearly in Torino’s court, and they are not passing it to River Plate.

In conclusion, the Torino warning Simeone won t be sold to River Plate is a definitive statement that prioritizes the club’s long-term interests over short-term sentiment. It underscores the value Torino places on Simeone’s contributions and their determination to build a team capable of challenging for European places. For now, the striker’s wish to return to Argentina will remain unfulfilled, but his focus remains on helping Torino achieve their goals in Serie A.