Racing, the new ‘millionaire’ of Argentine football: how he managed to close the gap with Boca and River

That Racing Being one of the teams that has strengthened the most and the one that has invested the most money in this market has a logical explanation: it has been one of those that has collected the most in recent months.

The current image of the brand new coach Gustavo Costas with its eight reinforcements, which could become nine if the arrival of midfielder Agustín Urzi is finalized – far from the numbers for now – has a direct relationship with the departure cards of several players. The data is shocking: in the last year and a half the Academy has sold more than 40 million dollars.

The president’s recipe Vittorio Bianco it has been more or less the same since he took office way back in 2014: spending less than you generate. That ironclad premise, however, caused him some headaches during 2023 as there were many fans calling for more aggressiveness in the transfer markets based on the idea that “football clubs tend to be in deficit”. Perhaps for this reason, from January 2023 to today, Racing has made 18 additions.

“I understand the discomfort and insults of some fans, but in all these years we have behaved in the same way in the market. We have always said that we would not mortgage the club and we have kept it. Today we have a healthy economy and we can invest “, explains Blanco to Clarion. And he adds: “Now the majority of the team’s players belong to Racing because circumstances allow it. I remember that in 2014 we had to put together a list with all the loans because the conditions were different. Today we are an institution respected by everyone, both selling and buying, and the majority of players are interested in coming.”

In this market, Racing collected more than 15 million dollars for the departures of Gonzalo Piovi (3,500,000 to Cruz Azul), Aníbal Moreno (7,000,000 to Palmeiras) and Agustín Ojeda (7,500,000 to New York City of MLS; the Academy held 75% of the pass). To these we must add the precedents, including those of Enzo Copetti (6,500,000 to Charlotte of the MLS), Carlos Alcaraz (14,000,000 to Southampton of the Premier League), Martín Ojeda (4,000,000 to Orlando City of the MLS) and Tomás Avilés (9,000,000 to Inter Miami of the MLS).

An important clarification from Blanco regarding the collections. Sometimes in the headlines you read 10, 20, 30 million, but half goes to the club, 60%. There are taxes to pay, commissions, agreements with other teams that have percentages on the players”, warns the president. And he continues: “I think we have closed one of the many good markets and we are excited. In 2014 we made an extraordinary market without money; in 2016 with Chacho Coudet we also integrated very well. Then it depends a lot on whether or not things go at the football level.”

With the exit of manager Ruben Capria, the constitutions (which will be officially presented on Thursday at 8pm at the Cilindro, with free entry) have been agreed between Costas and the Board of Directors. And both agreed to strengthen each line. From Facundo Cambeses He was paid $2 million and came to compete for the position Gabriele Arias. “I am a person who really likes challenges. The word compete will make me demand much more from myself. I spoke to my representative and told him that I wanted to come to Racing. The fact that Vélez called me and that they made arrangements to host me was also very nice. Because they were two big clubs fighting to have me.”said Cambeses, who signed a contract for 3 seasons.

Costas’ biggest concern revolves around the central scorers. Leonardo Sigali He went through the preseason with various ailments, while Nazarene Columbus He suffered a grade 2 external sprain in his right ankle and would not return until early March. They have arrived German Conti (one million dollars to the Russians of Lokomotiv) e Agustin García Basso ($750,000), despite neither of them playing in Saturday’s debut against Unión al Cilindro. “I hope to live up to the famous first great”said García Basso, after the medical examination. “There are a lot of things that come into play when making a decision. The challenge is what is taken into account the most,” concluded the 31-year-old defender, who can play as a central scorer or left-back.

In midfield, the Academy opted for two former River players: Bruno Zuculini (free; signed for 2 years) and Santiago Sosa (on loan with option from Atlanta of the MLS). “I am where I want to be and I love seeing Racing grow,” Zucu said.

The Avellaneda cast’s strongest investment was for Santiago Solari: 4 million dollars were paid to Defense and Justice. The 25 year old right winger has signed for 4 seasons.

The other academic disbursements were for the forwards: loan for Maximiliano Salas and 2 million dollars for Adrián Marvelous Martínez, who arrived free from the Institute of Córdoba.

The Racing team is therefore one of the most competitive to face the League Cup, the Professional League, the Argentine Cup and the South American Cup. To the new reinforcements we must add those who arrived in the two previous markets: Nardoni, Gabriel Rojas, Almendra, Colombo, Juanfer Quintero, Roger Martínez and Martirena.

“I know the fans need an international tournament. In racing you have to wear a backpack to give your best,” Costas summed up Clarion. And the feeling is unmistakable: the coach has a great squad to allow himself to dream.