If the transfer window is a merry go round as the cliché goes then this year’s has failed to begin rotating in Argentina as little to no major business has yet been conducted. Here are a few of the ongoing sagas that so far have not come to fruition.
After a number of high profile outgoings at Boca, most notably Carlos Tevez , Los Xenezie had been expected to be the big spenders this window but have so far been unable to bring in the reinforcements wanted by manager Barros-Schelotto. One saga in particular that has dragged on since Christmas is their desire to replace their injured goalkeeper Guillermo Sara. Mariano Andújar had been selected as their first choice target but Boca have had little luck in their negotiations with Estudiantes in attempting to broker a deal. Since their failed attempts to bring in Andujar, the club they have turned their attentions to Manchester United bench warmer Sergio Romero who is believed to have turned down the club’s offer.
happy on the bench
They also identified Ignacio Piatti as the man to fill the role vacated by the outgoing Carlos Tevez. The former San Lorenzo and Independiente midfielder has shone in North America since moving north and has become one of the standout players in the MLS, for this reason Montreal have taken a not for sale stance in their negotiations. Boca have interpreted this as a ploy and continue to try and negotiate with the Canadian club but so far to little avail despite Piatti himself expressing a desire to move back to his native country.
Rivals River Plate have also been engulfed in their own transfer saga as they have tried repeatedly to prize Walter Montoya away from Rosario. River have gradually raised their initial offer to $5m dollars last week after a number of initial offers had been rejected by Central. After the latest offer was also turned down, Enzo Francescoli commented that the club had no intention of raising their offer nor are they interested in a backup target. Since Carlos Sancez left last year the club has lacked a driving presence in midfield and the management’s certainty that Montoya is the man to address this issue could see them raise their offer one final time to get their man. Boca Juniors have also expressed an interest in Montoya and are believed to have offered $4m plus the transfer of Fernando Zuqui the other way.
Away from Boca and River, veteran midfielder Walter Erviti has expressed a desire to move to Buenos Aires rivals Independiente, the long time heartbeat of the Banfield time has been heavily linked with a move to el rojo but as of yet nothing has materialised.
