I've been hearing a lot of talk of Quintero's supposed lack of discipline, but people were saying the same thing about Teo when he arrived, yet he was contained and didn't cause any conflict during his two year stint at River... Based on his statements, Quintero seems pretty pumped about this opportunity and understands the importance of River, so maybe he'll get his head straight. With focus/determination from him and Gallardo's mentoring, he should be fine.. Regarding his work rate on the field.... we'll see. Gallardo has gotten even Pity Martinez to contribute defensively to a certain degree, so it's not impossible.
Looks like they're closing in on Bruno Zuculini... 3.6 million euros for 60% of the transfer is the number going around, although River is first trying to see if they can seal a loan instead. Carlos Benavidez (19 years old; Defensor Sporting) is the other option they're considering if the former Racing doesn't come through. For the record, the transfer window closes on Thursday night.
I actually like Zuculini, and he might be a good option medium-term as well which is always nice. I've seen people raise doubts because he's had something of a journeyman career in Europe, but bad players don't bounce around any more than good ones -- sometimes less, because they gravitate towards a mediocre squad where they can blend into the second string and disappear.
Transfer window about to close... River's final offer for Bruno Zuculini: €3,250,000 for 50% of his rights. Carlos Auzqui was about to go on loan to Independiente (they were offering $200,000 for a 12-month deal), but Gallardo has requested that he stay given the lack of options up front (River couldn't acquire Romero, and Larrondo suffered another injury today) Alexander Barboza is returning on loan to Defensa y Justicia, team which he previously shined for while on loan for 18 months between 2016 and 2017. Zacarias Moran Correa will be getting his first experience outside of River, as the 21-year-old has just joined San Martin (SJ) on loan. Federico Andrada, who had his loan with Velez terminated six months in advance, is headed to Italy to join Bari permanently. He had previously been loaned to Metz, Atletico Rafaela, and Quilmes, although never managed to replicate his youth goalscoring record. Lastly, Talleres are trying to seal a last-minute loan deal for Exequiel Palacios.
Yeah, he went to Atletico Mineiro... Very strange move, no idea what they saw in him. He literally gave nothing to River other than a few hilarious misses
Gianluca Simeone has left River on a free to join Frosinone (second division Italy). River will receive 30% of a future transfer. 18-year-old Facundo Medina has also departed. The left-back has joined Talleres, not on loan as originally speculated, but rather through a transfer ($1,000,000 for 60%). Both players are leaving the club without officially debuting, although Medina did play in a friendly for the first team (2016; 5-1 win vs. Olimpia)
Not sure how much I agree with Medina's departure.. it isn't easy finding leftbacks, the sum that came in wasn't all that great (then we end up buying a Casco to replace him for 5M), and the kid never got a shot. Maybe he wasn't all that great and Gallardo didn't see him playing with Saracchi, Casco, and Olivera, but it is always concerning when an 18 year old transfers. Hopefully they didn't ******** up.. As for Simeone, we'll see if he follows his brother Giovanni's footsteps, who is triumphing in Europe after being ignored in River. From my understanding, though, he is less talented and couldn't win himself a spot even in the reserves. Probably the reason he's going to Serie B instead of to a Genoa or Udinese.
Jonathan Maidana could be joining Mexican side Toluca on a last-minute transfer. The Mexican window closes tomorrow. If this goes through, it would put Gallardo in a limited situation in terms of CBs. Since Barboza recently left as well, we'd have Pinola and Martinez Quarta as starters, while Lollo -if he fully completes his recovery- and Montiel would be the only available alternatives outside of the youth divisions.
The Toluca offer was turned down by River precisely because of the lack of options in the CB position. Jony will wear la banda for at least another six months.
Pumas (MEX) and Peñarol have contacted Rodrigo Mora in an attempt to convince him to join their respective side when his contract expires in June. Both River and Mora are willing to renew the current deal, but things are currently on hold since Rodrigo wants a longer contract (3 years) than what he's being offered. If things don't get sorted he could be leaving the same way we lost so many other great players (Sanchez, Barovero, etc.), but I imagine there will be an agreement given Mora's passion for the club.
I don't see Morita leaving under any circumstances. His love for the club and the fans means he will stay and retire with us. The directors should give him anything he wants IMO, he has already shown he is back to his old self after the long injury, give him the three years already D'Onofrio! In addition to his massive passion for the club, as anyone who follows him on social medias knows, he has a young son and shares custody with his ex and I doubt he will go all the way to Mexico because that would mean never seeing him
Looks like Conti is heading to Benfica for only 3.5 million... could have been a good option for our defense, specially considering Maidana and Pinola's advanced age, although I don't know on what terms D'Onofrio is with Colon's dirigencia after the whole Alario transfer scandal.
I fully support not putting another red cent in Colon's coffers until they have a new administration. The shit they pulled with Alario is inexcusable.
Last week it was Racing... now San Lorenzo has contacted Ignacio Scocco's agent trying to convince him for a June transfer.
According to the German press, Leipzig is preparing a €9,500,000 offer for Marcelo Saracchi In other news, Juventus were seriously eyeing Franco Armani as a replacement for Buffon, who recently announced the end to his Turin era. Now that Romero has been left out of the WC due to injury, Armani will have the chance to shine at the world stage. If he does even a decent job, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the offers flowing in (from both Juve and others) given his low release clause.
River is considering Lucas Olaza (Talleres) as a possible reinforcement in case Saracchi does indeed move to Leipzig
Looks like Lucas Olaza is excited about the possibility of joining River, despite European interest in him: https://www.tycsports.com/nota/supe...buscan-de-benfica-pero-quiere-ir-a-river.html
I may as well post this in here too. 📻⚽️ #River | En caso de que @SaracchiChelo y/o Casco dejen el club, la dirigencia y el CT manejan 3 nombres para reforzar el puesto- @LucasOlaza 🇺🇾 #Talleres- @TurkoAngileri21 #GodoyCruz- Christian Mafla 🇨🇴 #AtleticoNacionalVía @vickynajda pic.twitter.com/odkS1B79dv— La Oral Deportiva (@oraldeportivaok) June 1, 2018
Looks like Marcelo Saracchi to Leipzig is a done deal.. 12.5 million euros for the 20-year-old, who had arrived to River from Danubio less than a year ago in exchange for $2,500,000 Suerte pibe!
Oh, and now D'Onofrio better get to hustling, because if Casco returns as a starter to the position we can kiss the Libertadores goodbye.. And to think we could have snapped up Vangioni on a free just a few months ago.
I can't believe we are losing Saracchi like this. Its very good money for a left back, but we only enjoyed his services for 10 months and given how short the Argentine season is, only a handful of games it seems. Not only that, but as loco mentions, unless we find a reinforcement quickly, we'll have to face racing with cAsco, who balances out Racing losing Lautaro. In fact, if Casco plays we are done. We saw the differences in the Libertadores last season, with Saracchi, we beat Lanus, with Casco we lost 4-2 in one of the most shambolic performances in the club's history. with Asco, we lost to Bosta at home, with Saracchi we beat them in the Super Final. The other thing that makes this transfer SO STUPID is that left back is probably the hardest position to find in Argentine football. There are no clear replacements out there, and those those that may be out there, will need an adjustment period, but in this case they'll be thrown right into the wolves of a Copa Libertadores knock out match, which also happens to be no less than the oldest clasico in Argentine football. Completely stupid move by the directors, and upsetting to see such a good player and likable guy on his way out, though I wish him luck in his career. Suerte pibe!
Atlanta United consulted about Ivan Rossi. At the moment, nothing more than that, although River is willing to listen to offers. Luciano Lollo being followed by Rosario Central, Deportivo Cali (COL), Olimpia (PAR), and Barcelona (ECU). River will consider selling him depending on the proposal, but loan offers will be turned down.