The end of the semester was far from what was expected. The defeat against Deportivo Riestra in the Guillermo Laza stadium, the wound, which was fresh from the elimination in the Argentine Cup before Temperley. The fans unloaded on that virtual tribune that is built on social networks and all the guns were aimed at Martin Demichelis. In the middle of the break, and already thinking about the preseason, what do the leaders think?
“The coach is firm and at no time do we doubt his continuity,” they told Clarín from Núñez, where they are thinking about strengthening the squad to face the second half of 2024. Yes, despite the rumors that circulated, Demichelis will continue to be River’s coach. They consider that there is room to reverse the situation, that he is a man behind the club and that president Jorge Brito is a man who honors contracts and does not think of another alternative until December 2025.
Manager Enzo Francescoli, for his part, is already managing the incorporations. In the next few hours it will accelerate Adam Bareiro, German Pezzella, Valentin Gomez and Jeremías Ledesma.
There was progress for the San Lorenzo forward, but it is not yet closed. For the Paraguayan, who is affected with his team for the Copa América, River is willing to pay a net $3,500,000 and would sign a capital gain from a future sale.
As to Pezzellawho is also in the United States to play the top continental tournament, you have to spend 5 million dollars, the termination clause that Betis set. Of course, there are still differences with the contract. However, the player’s willingness to return and the club’s willingness to count on him (Leonardo Ponzio even traveled to Spain to personally discuss the issue) would pave the way.
The other central defender in the portfolio is Valentin Gomez, 20 years old and a great level in Vélez. The problem is the price, close to 10 million dollars. It can be negotiated, but it is money that River would not be willing to pay. At least, for now.
Ledesma He is an archer in whom there is hope for the future. At 31 years old and at a high level at Cádiz, the leaders want him to arrive now to start competing with Franco Armani, who has already announced that he will retire in 2026. The president of the Spanish club, Manuel Vizcaíno, acknowledged that “there are several clubs interested in Conan.” In addition to River, the Pergaminense is wanted by Corinthians.
The idea is to have everything agreed by July 1, the day on which River will return to work with the exceptions of Armani, Paulo Díaz and Miguel Borja, who were called up by their national teams to compete in the maximum continental tournament. The bunker will be the Hilton hotel in Pilar and two friendlies will be played: against Millonarios of Colombia and Olimpia of Paraguay, still with scenarios to be defined.
