The festive period is over and Argentine football is getting back to work.  Clubs have been focusing on building up their squads in the transfer market, eager to get ready for kick off on January 27. Big names and big clubs are on the move, so here are some of the highlights so far.

Troubles for Boca

It’s proven a tricky market for newly-elected Boca Juniors president Juan Román Riquelme. The biggest name on everyone’s lips was Ever Banega, with the Rosario-born playmaker looking set for a return to Boca Juniors where he first broke through. 

However, Newell’s Old Boys hijacked the deal, as club president Ignacio Astore announced in an interview with sports broadcaster TyC Sports. “We have agreed a deal, we have a great relationship with him and the conversation is fluid,” he said. Banega, who represented Argentina in the 2018 World Cup, was playing for Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia.

Another Boca target, 33-year-old defender Cristian Lema, has found his move riddled with obstacles. Forced to trigger the US$400,000 release clause in his contract, the club announced he was doing his medicals last Wednesday, and signing later that afternoon. However, Lema still showed up for Lanús training on Friday: his move was delayed over a debt the club owes him, and he was fined for missing earlier workouts.

Argentine-born 36-year-old Hernán Galíndez is returning to his homeland to play for Huracán after leaving Aucas in Ecuador. He was the main man between the sticks for Ecuador during Qatar 2022 after taking Ecuadorian citizenship in 2019. “Coming back after so long, 12 years, it’s a great challenge and I’ll enjoy it,” said Galíndez upon arrival.

The remaining Big Five clubs have also been on the move, with San Lorenzo wrapping up midfielder Eric Remedi and striker Cristian Tarragona. Racing Club signed winger Santiago Solari and strikers Adrián Martíneza and Maximiliano Salas. Independiente sealed the deal for strikers Gabriel Ávalos and Ignacio Maestro Puch, defender Adrián Spörle and midfielder Alex Luna, while Uruguayan midfielder Nicolás Fonseca joined River Plate.

Top talent leaving

The biggest name to leave Argentine football is undoubtedly Claudio Echeverri. The 18-year-old forward, who dazzled many with the Albiceleste during the U17 World Cup, is signing with Champions League-winners Manchester City for 15 million euros, with clauses that could take the deal to an additional nine million. But Millonarios fans will be able to enjoy Echeverri for a while longer: he will remain on loan at the club until December 2024.

River also lost Venezuelan international Salomón Rondón. The 34-year-old striker struggled to adapt to Argentine football and chose to end his deal. He will continue his career at Pachuca in Mexico.

Vélez Sarsfield lost two key players for its next season, with 17-year-old wonderkid Gianluca Prestianni making his move to Benfica in Portugal for a reported 9 million euros, while 30-year-old captain Lautaro Gianetti moved on a free deal to Italian side Udinese after finishing his contract. Copa Argentina-winners Estudiantes de La Plata has also lost important players. Defender Leonardo Godoy, 28, left for Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense while winger Benjamín Rollheiser, 23, is leaving for Benfica.