Report: Atletico Nacional president denies knowledge of Millonarios’ interest in Carlos Rivas

It had been suggested by the Colombian soccer press that on-loan forward Carlos Rivas would be heading back to the New York Red Bulls shortly, as Atletico Nacional seeks to build a squad for 2019. But Rivas does not appear to have returned to RBNY yet, and might yet have reason to extend his stay in Colombia: Blu Radio reports recently-appointed Millonarios manager Jorge Luis Pinto has an interest in the 24-year-old.

Or not. Goal.com’s Juan David Londono had a chat with Atletico Nacional club president Juan David Perez, and one of the questions asked and answered was about Millonarios’ interest in Rivas. Perez denied even having heard the rumor:

Goal: Is there a Millionarios offer for Carlos Rivas? The player would be of interest to Pinto.

JDP: No, nothing. We have no information about it, not even through the media, so far I hear it because of what you are telling me. Today I received the first call from a club president starting to talk about a player’s topic. This week, the other week and the beginning of December, the conversation will begin to warm up a bit.

Perez went on to suggest his club was still working out its roster plans for the forthcoming season. The Red Bulls will also need to make some decisions about cuts and contract extensions in the near future - though they still have some very important games to play this season.

The clubs Rivas is contracted to - loan to Atletico Nacional; rights held by RBNY - don’t seem to be quite ready to start wheeling and dealing in the transfer market. So perhaps it is a little premature to speculate about where Rivas will be playing next season.