Newell’s Old Boys and Argentina defender Milton Casco finally looks set to seal his transfer away from Rosario after months of speculation. Marcelo Bielsa’s sudden departure from Marseille halted Casco’s move to France and finding himself frozen out of Newell’s since Lucas Bernardi took over as manager it left Buenos Aires rivals, River Plate and Boca Juniors battling for his signature. Despite being away on international duty it appears that Marcelo Gallardo’s Copa Libertadores champions have won the race and Casco will be presented next week with a possible debut in the superclásico.

Following the disappointment of his cancelled transfer to Marseille earlier in the window, it is turning out to be a pretty good week for Milton Casco. An impressive performance at right-back for Argentina against Bolivia in Houston on Friday and now the apparent confirmation of a switch to River Plate is about as good as it gets once the European transfer window has shut. The 27-year-old has consistently been one of the Primera’s top full-backs and with River having sold Ramiro Funes Mori to Everton, Los Millonarios have a spot available for a reinforcement. A $3 million deal has been agreed for 85% ownership and with current left-back Leonel Vangioni currently out injured, Casco could make his debut next weekend against Boca Juniors in the superclásico.

Casco was a key figure in Gerardo Martino’s Newell’s side that lifted the 2013 Torneo Final and it is easy to see why the current Argentina manager continues to put this faith in the lively full-back. The former Gimnasia player is primarily a left-back but can play on either flank and provides a real attacking outlet and natural width to any side. River Plate find themselves adrift in the title race but are still fighting and with the Copa Sudamericana and the Club World Cup at the end of the year, Casco is a show of real strength.