Tottenham initiate contact for signing – €14m offer being considered

Tottenham Hotspur’s growing push for Ian Subiabre is starting to shift the tone of a transfer battle they have been quietly building for months alongside Chelsea.

Both London clubs have tracked the River Plate winger since 2025. Chelsea made early contact through the player’s camp, while Spurs have moved more recently.

As we covered earlier, Tottenham have already begun to accelerate their interest, with signals from Argentina suggesting they are no longer just monitoring.

Now, a fresh update from Argentina strengthens that idea significantly.

Development and rising profile

Ian Subiabre only began to feature regularly for River Plate this calendar year, but his role has grown quickly.

So far in 2026, he has:

• made 12 appearances
• started six matches
• played 566 minutes
• scored one goal
• provided two assists

In addition, he is averaging around one key pass per game, showing increasing involvement in attacking phases.

Across his full senior record, he has three goals and three assists in 35 appearances. Meanwhile, his performances for Argentina’s U20 side have added to his reputation, with five goals in 15 matches across major youth tournaments.

Manager Eduardo Coudet has used him primarily on the left flank, allowing him to attack defenders directly and cut inside. That role is helping him grow in confidence.

Tottenham now “very strong” in transfer race

Argentine journalist Hernán Castillo has provided a clear indication of where things stand heading into the next window.

Speaking on the situation, he suggested a sale is becoming increasingly likely and placed Tottenham at the centre of that movement.

“River is going to have a strong market in the middle of the year. They will spend, but they will also bring in money because it is very difficult for them to keep Subiabre. Very difficult. He has too much interest already.”

That alone sets the tone. However, he went further when discussing concrete interest.

“I know that Tottenham, Chelsea, Villarreal, Lazio are making constant enquiries. And now Tottenham are very strong.”

He also pointed to the financial expectations around a deal, adding:

“I know that for Subiabre, besides the people who represent him, there has already been an €8m (£6.9m) offer that River rejected. And Tottenham are thinking about €12m or €14m (£10.4m-£12.2m).”

Contract, pressure and timing

River Plate remain protected on paper. Subiabre signed a new contract until December 2028, with a €100m (£87m) release clause. However, the reality is different.

Offers around €10m (£8.7m) have already been rejected, but the club are aware that sustained interest is building. Castillo made it clear that River are already planning ahead financially, expecting departures.

“It is very, very likely that Subiabre will leave River. So they are going to have important money to go into the market and replace things they are already starting to replace.”

That expectation is important. It shows internal acceptance that keeping the winger beyond the next window may not be realistic.

“That’s why River are going to move a lot, and besides the money they already have planned, I think Subiabre will hardly stay for another window”, Castillo added.

What happens next

For Tottenham, this is where things become interesting. They are no longer entering a crowded race late. Instead, they appear to be positioning themselves as one of the most aggressive clubs in the process.

Chelsea remain in the background, with long-standing interest and prior contact. However, the latest signals from Argentina suggest Spurs are currently pushing harder.

The numbers also align with that approach. A deal in the region of €12m-€14m (£10.4m-£12.2m) would be enough to open serious talks, far below the official clause.

With River already preparing for a strong summer market and expecting exits, the conditions are forming. Tottenham’s move now looks less like interest and more like intent.