BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Colombia international midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero could rejoin his former club River Plate from Argentine rivals Racing, according to media reports.
Quintero is contracted to Racing until December 2026 but has held preliminary talks with River officials about a possible return to the Buenos Aires giants in January, news outlet Top Mercato reported on Monday.
The former Porto player earned icon status at River after scoring the decisive goal in an extra-time victory over rivals Boca Juniors in the 2018 Copa Libertadores final. He returned for a second spell with the club in 2022.
The 31-year-old has often spoken of his admiration for River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo, with whom he has maintained a close friendship.
News of the potential transfer comes a little more than a week after Quintero helped Racing secure the Copa Sudamericana title, the club's first international trophy since 1988. ■
