River and the loans: the five players who must return by the end of the year

The end of 2026 will force River to make decisions about several players who are currently on loan at other clubs. With the loan contracts nearing expiration, the “Millonario” will need to assess whether they return to join the squad or go out again in search of continuity.

One of the most relevant cases is that of David Martínez, who is having a good season at Defensa y Justicia. The defender has become a regular piece for Julio Vaccari and had also played a significant role under Mariano Soso.

Martínez played 22 matches during the year and wore the captain's armband until Leandro Fernández arrived in July. His return to River, however, remains uncertain: he hasn't played in Núñez since May 2024 and, since then, has been on loan at Inter Miami, Olimpia, and Defensa y Justicia.

Nasif will return injured and Ledesma has a purchase option

Another player who should return in December is Tomás Nasif. During his time at Platense, the forward participated in only 16 matches and scored three goals before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in April.

His recovery will be crucial in determining the next step in his career. For now, the possibility of another loan appears to be one of the potential scenarios, especially since he has not yet had the chance to officially debut with River.

Meanwhile, Jeremías Ledesma may not return permanently to the “Millonario”. The goalkeeper was a starter for much of the year at Rosario Central, where he played 32 matches, although he recently lost his spot to Axel Werner in the International Supercup.

The “Canalla” has a purchase option of 1.8 million dollars, so there is a possibility they will seek to acquire his rights permanently.

Serrago and Giménez, two more cases to resolve

The situation for Tiago Serrago is different. The midfielder could not establish himself at Tigre and lost prominence during his loan. In 25 matches, he only scored one goal.

After previously spending time at Defensa and Aldosivi, the player may face another exit when his current contract ends.

Finally, Ulises Giménez recently joined Sarmiento and has a contract with the Junín club until mid-2027. However, River included a buyback option, which would allow them to reclaim the defender early if they feel the need to reintegrate him.