Boca opens fire in the transfer market: where does Diego Martínez point his guns while defusing conflicts?

The image used by Boca’s social networks is a clear message to the players. “The only recipe: work”, stated the club, accompanied by the emoji of a brain. It did not seem coincidental, of course, that Diego Martínez was portrayed with a smile on his lips. It is quite an endorsement from Juan Román Riquelme, no less.

Not only because of the talk they had 48 hours ago in Ezeiza, where they talked about the defeat with Platense; also, due to the discomfort that the players let out due to the decision that Martínez made regarding the logistics of tasks.

Before Vicente López fell, the coach had planned to give the squad three days of rest. The equation was modified, of course. And Martinez ordered him to return to work Tuesday afternoon. Then, some footballers complained to the coach about the abrupt change, since they had to return from their provinces earlier.

Román did not like this claim, nor did the coach find his presence in training very funny, although all the technicians in his cycle as leader had to listen to some harangue or slap on the wrist from the former enganche.

However, this show of support marked the ground for the team. And after the two pending games before the Copa América stoppage (Vélez, on Friday the 14th for the Professional League, and Almirante Brown, on Wednesday the 19th for the Argentine Cup) there will be a purge. It is estimated that a dozen players would leave. And the dance of names as possible reinforcements has already begun.

Yes, Riquelme and Martínez, who will have a one-on-one talk in the third week of June, have already started to think about the future. To reverse the situation in the domestic tournament and win the South American crown, Boca needs to make a large investment.

In that sense, during these hours it emerged that Román communicated with Tomás Belmonte, former Lanús midfielder who currently plays for Toluca in Mexico. The 26-year-old footballer’s response was positive. He remains to reach an agreement with the Aztec club, which paid 5 million dollars for his transfer.

Another midfielder who seduces Riquelme is Joaquín Pereyra, whom the president is looking for before Martínez’s arrival. The technician would say okay. Atlético Tucumán priced it at $3,500,000. The left-hander is willing to play with the blue and gold shirt, of course.

From Spain, Lucas Robertone, former Vélez who now plays for Almería, was offered. His departure will not be easy because the offensive midfielder has a current contract until 2028, but his desire to return to the country could accelerate the pace of negotiations.

So far, the closest possibilities. Then, there are other players in the pipeline. Maxi Meza is another weakness of the idol president. He was one of the first surnames that he wanted to incorporate when he won the elections – along with Jorge Amor Ameal – in 2019. A Monterrey figure, the Corrientes could only arrive in December, after the end of his contract.

Fausto Vera, central midfielder for Corinthians, also seduces. The São Paulo club owes 4 million dollars to Argentinos Juniors and La Paternal does not take a dim view of a negotiation at the local level. However, the player is also in the sights of Gabriel Milito, who wants to take him to Atlético Mineiro.

Gary Medel and James Rodríguez are the two internationals who are on the radar. Román has already warned that he has a very close relationship with the 36-year-old Chilean, who defended the Xeneizes colors between 2009 and 2011 and was a teammate of Don Torcuato’s “10”, who today plays for Vasco Da Gama. The Colombian was offered, but it is almost impossible for him to leave San Pablo to play for Boca. It almost has to be discarded.

The only impediment to having any of these players, for now, is the quota of foreigners. Currently, the squad is covered with the Uruguayans Marcelo Saracchi, Miguel Merentiel and Edinson Cavani, the Peruvian Luis Advíncula and the Venezuelan Jan Hurtado, who will return from the Quito League. Colombians Frank Fabra and Jorman Campuzano have Argentine citizenship, although the midfielder will go to Atlético Nacional.

Hurtado could be loaned again, since he is not taken into account by Martínez. Then, there would be room for only one of them.

And we must not rule out Adam Bareiro, for whom Boca made an offer of $4,500,000, above the termination clause set by San Lorenzo (3,500,000). The proposal was rejected.

Who will leave?

Just as names of potential additions began to circulate, a list of expendable ones also emerged. There are three who no longer have a place in the team: Ezequiel Bullaude, whose loan expires at the end of the month and will have to return to Feyenoord; Nicolás Valentini, who did not accept the terms of the Football Council for the renewal of his bond, which expires in December, and Darío Benedetto, hanging after the famous and dark phrase (“happy nights, sad mornings”) after his birthday .

Vicente Taborda, Juan Ramírez and Norberto Briasco would not be taken into account either. We have to see what position is taken with Fabra, very relegated.