River Plate agree deal for striker Pratto
Xinhua,January 09, 2018 Adjust font size:
RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Sao Paulo have agreed to sell Argentine striker Lucas Pratto to Buenos Aires giants River Plate, the Brazilian club said on Monday.
Sao Paulo executive director Rai said Sao Paulo agreed to the transfer after Pratto requested the move for personal reasons.
"We didn't want him to leave because he was one of the pillars of our team," Sao Paulo executive director and former Brazil midfielder Rai told reporters.
Local media reported that River agreed to pay 11 million euros (about 13.2 million U.S. dollars) for Pratto, who had been contracted with the Tricolor until December 2020.
Pratto scored 14 goals in 48 appearances for Sao Paulo after joining the club from Brazilian rivals Atletico Mineiro last February.
Capped five times for Argentina's national team, Pratto has yet to represent his country under Jorge Sampaoli, who was appointed Albiceleste coach in June.
In November, the former Velez Sarsfield forward said he was open to return to an Argentine club to boost his chances of featuring in next year's World Cup. Enditem