Barcelona given hope of cut-price deal for Argentine starlet

It’s no secret that Barcelona are already on the lookout for emerging talent in South America, having made moves in recent years. Vitor Roque was the latest player to make the move to Catalonia, but he could now be overtaken by a highly-rated winger.Barcelona have been lethargic in their events in South America in recent years, having missed out on the likes of Claudio Echeverri and Franco Mastantuono, both of whom left River Plate for Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively. But now, they could be set to pounce for another talented forward from the historic Argentine club.During the summer, it was reported that Barcelona have an interest in Ian Subiabre. The 18-year-old has already made 19 appearances for River Plate’s senior squad, although his days at the club could be numbered.Image via GilaBolaAccording to Soy de Millo (via Sempre Barca), River are struggling to agree a new contract with Subiabre. The main sticking point is his release clause, with the club keen for the new figure to be €100m, whereas the teenager’s representatives want it to be in the region of €35-40m.Chelsea prepared to compete with Barcelona for SubiabreSubiabre’s current deal expires at the end of 2026, meaning that he will soon be into his final year of that agreement. Should he not sign a renewal in the coming months, it would open the door for Barcelona to make a move, although they would face competition from Premier League giants Chelsea.Subiabre has shown a lot of promise during his short career so far, and given his contract situation, he would likely be available for a reduced price. As such, it is exactly the sort of deal that Barcelona should be doing amid their uncertain financial situation, although it remains to be seen whether a move is made in 2026.