São Paulo FC has opened advanced negotiations with Argentina’s River Plate to secure Chilean forward Gonzalo Tapia on a one-year loan that would include an option to buy, according to multiple reports from Brazil and Argentina on 9 July. The 22-year-old attacker, requested by newly appointed coach Hernán Crespo, has made only seven appearances for River this season and is seen as a cost-effective addition to bolster São Paulo’s flanks. Sources close to the talks say the Buenos Aires club is willing to release Tapia to free up a foreign-player slot, while São Paulo’s board favours a loan structure to stay within its budget constraints. Tapia had previously attracted interest from at least three other Brazilian sides, but discussions with São Paulo are now described as the most concrete. Although the deal is not yet final, both clubs are optimistic about reaching agreement in the coming days.