Juan Barinaga will join the team led by Diego Martínez

Boca Juniors reinforced its squad with six new players: Gary Medel, Tomás Belmonte, Brian Aguirre, Milton Giménez, Agustín Martegani, and Nacho Miramón. Although Juan Román Riquelme, the club’s president, had been satisfied with these additions, Boca continued to be active in the market, which remains open. As a result, a seventh reinforcement was added: Juan Barinaga. The club managed to close the hiring of Belgrano’s right back, who will undergo a medical examination this Friday.

Initially, Boca offered 2.5 million dollars plus the transfer of Esteban Rolón, who is currently playing on loan at Pirata, to acquire Barinaga’s signing. However, the Córdoba club rejected the offer, clarifying that they were not interested in receiving players in exchange, despite the fact that Rolón has been a starter under the direction of Juan Cruz Real.

Belgrano made a counterproposal: 3.5 million clean dollars without involving any player in the transaction, which returned the decision to Boca. Riquelme and the Football Council recalculated their offer and came back with a new proposal: 2.5 million clean dollars for 80% of Barinaga’s share, leaving Belgrano with 20% for a future sale.

Barinaga’s management of Boca caused surprise, since it came to fruition after the team’s elimination from the South American Cup and in the last days of the transfer market. The right back position was a priority from the beginning, due to Lucas Blondel’s serious injury and Luis Advíncula’s call-ups with his national team. Advíncula not only returned injured from the Copa América, but was called up again for the double date of the Qualifiers so they will not be against Talleres for the round of 16 of the Argentine Cup.

Although the negotiation may seem late, Boca seeks to ensure that it has replacement options in case Advíncula is not available, avoiding having to improvise with players like Nicolás Figal or Lautaro Di Lollo, both center backs. With the arrival of Barinaga, the team will have a natural full-back to cover that position.