The Maxi Salas case: Racing does not want to sell him and will offer him a salary increase to prevent River from taking his release clause.

While optimism about the possibility of signing Maximiliano Salas is growing at River Plate, Avellaneda doesn't believe it will become a possibility. While the €8 million release clause is "affordable" for the Núñez club's finances, Racing's players appear to be declining. There is no intention to sell him, so the interest in retaining him is greater.

The Corrientes native arrived at Racing from Palestino in Chile at the request of coach Gustavo Costas for $1,250,000. According to reports, River Plate offered more than double that, and Racing reportedly responded that he's not for sale and would only leave if he executes the eight million euro release clause. However, Diego Milito isn't negotiating, but rather assumes that the only way to lose the player is through that option.

There's an unwritten rule in Argentine football about using the peer clause. These are safe passages for teams from other latitudes because, primarily, the player who leaves doesn't become a rival, as will happen if River Plate retains the 27-year-old striker's transfer.

To prevent this from happening, Racing already has a strategy , as things no longer work automatically: even if a club pays for the exit, if the player does not agree and does not previously agree on a salary, the transfer does not take place.

Therefore, when Salas returns from his vacation, he will be received by Racing's directors with a proposal to improve his contract, something that the forward had been demanding and that, given the interest of Millonario , becomes almost mandatory for the player to choose to stay instead of leaving.

If his salary is in line with expectations, Salas would opt to remain at the club, as he feels comfortable and understands that his next step could be abroad and that Racing's presence is sufficient.

The only variable that can change Racing's strategy, then, is the player's willingness. River Plate would have also offered him a good contract, but an opportunity that might not be repeated: the Club World Cup, in which Marcelo Gallardo 's team, not Costas's, will participate.

In 76 matches, Salas scored 13 goals and assisted on nine others. The Academy is banking on his continued success.

The most concerned in this back-and-forth of calls is Costas, who reportedly stood up to Racing's board of directors, describing the striker as crucial to his team's aspirations in the Libertadores, where they will face Peñarol of Montevideo in the round of 16.

Salas's buyout clause doesn't completely protect him, considering that El Millonario paid more expensive transfers (such as Sebastián Driussi's, for $11 million, and Kevin Castaño's, for $13 million), which is what Salas's departure from the Academy is worth.

Furthermore, he's not the only player Muñeco is targeting from the Academy. He also has left back Gabriel Rojas on his radar, a position he's been looking to strengthen for some time.