It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Argentine football teams. With the season set to kick off this week, most clubs have been active in the market for solutions, while others have had to wave goodbye to stars. Here are some of the highlights so far.

Talent moving abroad

One of the biggest talking points of the off-season has been the signing of Boca Juniors youngster Valentín Barco to the Premier League. The 19-year-old left-footed winger made himself indispensable to the Xeneize’s push into the 2023 Copa Libertadores finals and fans hoped he would stick around for another season.

However, the club confirmed Barco will be moving to English side Brighton and Hove Albion after it triggered the US$10-million release clause on his contract, despite Boca’s best efforts to keep him.

Another young starlet on a trip to Europe is Benjamín Rollheiser. The River Plate academy graduate broke through at Estudiantes de La Plata and was part of the team that won the 2023 Copa Argentina. He’ll be moving to Portuguese giants Benfica in exchange for 9.5 million euros.

Racing Club sold 19-year-old striker Agustín Ojeda to the MLS’ New York City for US$7.5 million, also keeping 10 percent of a potential sale, while 31-year-old goalkeeper Federico Lanzillota left Argentinos Juniors for Aucas in Ecuador on loan.

Reinforcements

Having successfully wrapped up Cristian Lema’s signing, Boca closed a deal for Unión de Santa Fe’s Kevin Zenón. The 22-year-old left midfielder, who spoke out against his former club’s president as the transfer stagnated, wrapped his move to the Xeneize at US$3.4 million.

Unión will keep 20% of any potential sales, in a deal that includes a 25% sell-on clause for striker Mauro Luna Diale and the loan of Simón Rivero going the Santa Fe club’s way.

Estudiantes de La Plata announced the signing of River Plate 37-year-old midfielder Enzo Pérez, who finished his contract with the Millonarios after seven years at the club. Pérez was part of the Pincharrata team that won the 2009 Copa Libertadores.

Meanwhile, Independiente signed Uruguayan midfielder Gabriel Neves from Brazil’s Sao Paulo. The 26-year-old midfielder arrived at the Diablos Rojos on loan for a year with a US$3 million optional fee.

Another Uruguayan on the move is Juan Ignacio Ramírez, who joined Newell’s Old Boys. After announcing the return of academy graduate Ever Banega, the Rosario side officially signed the 26-year-old striker for US$4 million from Nacional.

Walter Bou is another striker on the move. After an unsuccessful spell at Vélez Sarsfield, the 30-year-old player moved to Lanús for US$1.2 million. His former club, for its part, announced the signing of the same figure.