Argentina and the unstoppable exodus: from Barco to Diablito Echeverri, because the players are leaving younger and younger

Some supporters react with fury to the situation, others accept it with resignation, there are also those who analyze it as a logical consequence of economic imbalances. Whatever the response of those who observe from outside, Argentine football is getting used to seeing some of its players leave at younger and younger ages.. The sales of Valentín Barco, to Brighton & Hove Albion, and Claudio Echeverri, to Manchester City, were the two most notable cases of the last few days, although not the only ones and, certainly, not the last.

Barco, which will turn 20 on July 23rdcame out with some noise after having implemented the release clause of 10 million euros established when, in February 2023, he signed the extension of his contract until 30 June 2024. The Football Council did not look favorably on that decision and also one of its members, Raul Cascinihe called the player ungrateful and assured that he had refused to accept a longer bond.

“I could have freed myself when Getafe looked for me, but my dream was to play for Boca. Halfway through the Cup (Libertadores) I stayed again, they wanted to execute the clause and I told my representative that I would stay until the end of the Cup. Now they are back, I wanted to leave a percentage to Boca and since the agreement was not reached I had no choice but to respect the clause“replied the laner born on May 25th.

Although the outcome of the story was presented as very positive for all parties, the sale of Echeverri, who turned 18 on January 2nd, including wave motion. The striker who shone in the Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia had a contract until 31 December 2024, but after River’s consecration in the Champions Trophy on 22 December, he announced that he would not renew it.

It took very little for the plot of the move to become evident: only a few days later, Manchester City has emerged as the destination for the Chaco native, who has accumulated only 155 minutes in the First Division and who, in principle, will remain at Núñez until the end of the year. For this sale, River will pocket 14.5 million euros which will be paid in installments and another 9.5 million as targets. The overall sum is just one million less than that established in the exit clause.

With more or less strength in negotiations, The two giants of Argentine football see their greatest promises vanish without being able to present too tenacious opposition. Tickets arriving from Europe and, in recent years, from new destinations such as the United States or the Middle East make resistance very complicated.

Balance is extremely complex. The release clause is presented as a tool that clubs use to protect themselves. However, including a very high clause usually has a trade-off: any player who accepts it demands a corresponding salary. For this reason, when Boca were trying to retain Barco, there was speculation that they would make him a contract upgrade offer that would place him as the highest paid player in the team.

In any case, the salary possibilities that Argentine institutions have are far from those of the first or second line in Europe and in other destinations where the wallets are very deep. Moreover, Clubs in this part of the planet often have to part ways with a footballer periodically. to resolve incorporations, support your team or simply cover debts.

Boca and River are not the only ones who have had to deal with these situations in recent days. Two weeks ago, Gianluca Prestianni said goodbye Velezthe club where he played since he was 4 years old and which will receive 9 million euros (plus 2 million goals) for his sale to Benfica. In any case, the attacker will only be able to sign the contract with the Portuguese club on 31 January, when he turns 18, as the FIFA Regulations on the status and transfer of players prevents a transfer from becoming effective before that moment, except in cases strictly established.

Julián Malatini is 22 years old and was one of the 23 players chosen by Javier Mascherano to play in the Pre-Olympic starting Sunday. However, the defender will not travel to Venezuela, as he has already traveled to Germany to join Werder Bremen. “Playing in Europe is the dream of every South American footballer and the Bundesliga is one of the most important leagues in the world”, the Cordoba native said when presented to him on Wednesday. On December 20, Halcón had made use of the option to purchase his season ticket, which belonged to Talleres (he paid approximately 750,000 dollars), and had extended his contract until December 2026. In this railinghe will pocket good money: although the clubs have not made it official, the transfer to the German team was made for around two million euros.

Despite accumulating more experience in the First Division, Benjamín Rollheiser is only 23 years old. And his destiny is also in Europe, given that Benfica has already buttoned him up. The only question is whether he will leave now or whether Estudiantes, who own 50% of his record, will keep him for another six months. To count on the former River player in the next few days, the Portuguese are willing to pay 10.5 million euros.

With the market open in much of the world for a couple more weeks, the haemorrhaging of youngsters could continue. One that might even stamp your passport is Agostino Ojeda, who has played 24 games in Racing’s Primera since Fernando Gago made his debut in March 2022. The 19-year-old from Rosario is wanted by the American New York City (owned by the City Football Group), who would pay around 5.5 million dollars (plus 2 million goals) for his record. The midfielder has a contract until December 2026 and an exit clause of 16 million euros.

Accumulate more than 120 matches in the Lanús Primera Pedro De la Vega, who will turn 23 in February. His cycle in the southern club of Greater Buenos Aires is nearing its end. As he recovers from a tear that left him out of the U-23 team competing in the Pre-Olympic, he hopes his move to the Seattle Sounders can be sorted out. The American franchise will pay approximately seven million dollars for the Olavarrian’s services.

Meanwhile, Independiente maneuvers not to lose early Santiago López. The 17-year-old youth player, who made his debut in the First Division on 17 July, has a contract until 31 December this year (includes a 15 million dollar clause) and in Europe there is already talk of Manchester United’s interest in he. Meanwhile, River achieved with the other three players of the Under-17 World Cup what it failed to do with Echeverri: on 6 January it signed the extension of the contracts of Agustín Ruberto (until December 2027), Ian Subiabre and Ulises Giménez (both until December 2027).2026).

The sale of very young players with little experience in the First Division is not a new phenomenon in this transfer window. By mid-2023, some people under the age of 22 had left for Europe, including Lucas Beltran (Fiorentina), Alan Varela (Porto), Alejo Veliz (Tottenham), Gino Infantino (Fiorentina) e Marco Pellegrino (Milan). And also to other destinations: Inter Miami had bought him Facundo Farias and Tomás AvilésNew York City remained Giuliano Fernandez and Atletico Paranaense had acquired Bruno Zapelli and Lucas Esquivel.

Just a semester before their departure Facundo Goodnight (Brighton and Hove Albion), Massimo Perrone (Manchester City), Matteo Tanlongo (Sporting Lisbon), Carlos Alcaraz (Southampton), Facundo Kruspzky (Al-Wahda) e Ramiro Enrico (City of Orlando).

In any case, this is not a phenomenon that only concerns Argentine football. Real Madrid is waiting to sign the Brazilian Endrickwhose purchase was agreed with Palmeiras in December 2022 (for a sum exceeding 70 million euros), but which will only arrive in July this year, when he turns 18. Meringue acquired even when they were minors Vinicius Jr (in 2017, at Flamengo) e Rodrygo (in 2018, at Santos).

Their arch rival, Barcelona, ​​added to the squad three weeks ago Vitor Roque, 18 years olddespite having agreed the purchase with Atletico Paranaense in July 2023. For the transfer of the center forward, who had already made his debut in the senior Brazilian national team in March 2023, he paid 30 million euros fixed (plus 31 million variable) and in his contract, valid until June 2031, included a 500 million release clause.

Two other Brazilians, now 19, were signed by Chelsea last year: Andrea Santosarrived from Vasco da Gama and now plays for Nottingham Forest, and Angel Gabriel, arrived from Santos and was loaned to Racing de Strasbourg. The London club also paid 20 million euros in June 2023 to purchase the Ecuadorian international midfielder. Kendry Paezwho is just 16 years old and will continue to play on loan at Independiente del Valle until mid-2025.