Belgrano transfer market activity nears end

With the signings of Cuevas, Pachecho, Chmill, Frangipane, Lux, Cardenas and Becerra, the coach Dalcio Giovagnoli has now only one remaining spot to fill. Cuevas, a high-profile signing due to his former past as Talleres player, fills the much-needed centre-forward role. The much-loved Frangipane has come back to the club after spending an year with Deportivo Cali in Colombia. The addition of Pacheco and Cardenas will strenghten the team weakest areas, central midfield and left-back respectively. Chmill didn't play much during the last year at Gimnasia y Esgrima (Jujuy) but he adds depth to the squad. The board decided to make an important offer to Lux, a player whose experience and ascendancy is considered vital. Finally, Leandro Becerra comes from a spell in Atletico Rafaela and will also add depth to the midfield.

These signings and the fact that they have all been signed before the pre-season training started last monday have sent the fans hopes high and there is excitement all around the Belgrano camp. Some of these signings have Primera Division experience, others have impressed in recent years and a few have yet to make an impact. Having said all that, it will be the coach's task to turn these and the remaining players from last season into a solid unit capable of challenging for the title and promotion to Primera.

Suarez deal officially finished

The judge informed that on Wednesday RSC Anderlecht made a total payment of 1.2m euros which will be later distributed between the different parts involved in the transaction. The net amount to be received by Belgrano is just over 600K and only half of that will go towards clearing the consolidated debt.

It was also revealed that Suarez is expected to join his new teammates on the 24th June having agreed on a 5-year contract with the traditional Belgian club. But Suarez could delay his arrival to RSC Anderlecht if Belgrano have to play promotion matches. He has often said that promotion means a lot to him and would be a fitting finale to his career in Belgrano

It's all but done: Suarez is going to Belgium

The Suarez transfer saga will be finally over today with the closing of the bidding window. "There is no chance for Matias to go elsewhere. He is going to Belgium" said his agent Cristian Colazzo when asked yesterday. He also added that the player and RSC Anderlecht have agreed on the contract and that Suarez is expected to join his new club by the 24th of June. Colazzo also noted that no other club held talks with Suarez over a potential contract and played down the interest from other clubs. It was also revealed that Suarez had explicitly asked to stay to help Belgrano secure promotion and join Anderlecht only after promotion legs, should them be needed, are over.

Suarez will join RSC Anderlecht (Photo source: LMCBA)

As the judge turned down the petition to extend the bidding window, the deadline stands at 1 pm today (Argentinian time). According to judicial procedures, the official announcement will be made the day after the close of the bidding period. In light of these recent developments, it is improbable that any party would go back on their words so the deal will surely go ahead. The 1.2m euros transfer will give a financial boost to Belgrano and allow Matias to develop his inmense talent in a top European club. We wish Matias all the best at his new club and will be eternally grateful for his passion and commitment.

Decisive week for Suarez transfer

According to media reports, the chairman of Belgrano suggested that there would be important news in relation with the transfer of Matias Suarez. Although the interest of RSC Anderlecht is well known, the main obstacle to this deal is regarding the transfer fee. Although Cordoba Celeste would be satisfied with a € 1.2m fee, the overseeing judge is said to consider this amount too small. In addition to this, there are rumours suggesting that a well-known football agent would be willing to offer up to € 3.6m fee for Matias Suarez -that's three times the amount offered by RSC Anderlecht-, in order to negotiate him to a top European club. The fact that Suarez has been playing a vital role in Belgrano's fortunes and the praise he is receiving from managers and pundits add to the mounting speculation over his future.

In the meantime, Suarez remain fully committed to Belgrano, and keeps his focus by stating his priorities for the next months: "I want to win Promotion with Belgrano and defeat Talleres in the derby" he said to journalists last Sunday. Wherever he ends up going, it will do a great good both for him and for our club. The transfer fee will go a long way to cancel the outstanding debt and the club may finally get back to a normal situation.

Heroes

Carlos De Giorgis and Gaston Turus have very different stories. While Turus has been at Belgrano for more than seven years, De Giorgis has only been with el Pirata for a few months. But they share things too. Turus has never been more than a fringe player at Belgrano and De Giorgis has been relegated to the substitutes bench in almost any team he's played for. And from last Saturday, they have another thing common for they were the heroes of the hour in Belgrano's epic draw against Instituto. De Giorgis looked comfortable in goal and managed to save a penalty that would have sealed the match for Instituto. And it was precisely Turus who committed the penalty by intercepting the ball with his hand (in a grand selfless attitude) giving new life to Belgrano for Lima's shot was destined for the net. As Turus walked off the pitch, he received a well-deserved standing ovation from everybody in the stadium.

This season has seen Turus become Belgrano's captain and we believe he is the right guy to skipper our team. His character, never-say-die attitude and determination makes him the ideal captain. De Giorgis, on the other hand, is due to return to the substitutes bench since Olave will be available for the next match. But, after a performance like that, we all can be sure that the kid has what it takes to replace Olave and to become Belgrano's main keeper in the future. Well done to both of them.

Who is De Giorgis?

He goes by the name of Carlos Alberto, he is 23 years old, long brown hair and he -listen carefully- is going to replace the much-maligned Juan Carlos Olave. He was brought in by Ferraro last season and pretty much nobody noticed his presence. We don't even know his real name. Is it De Giorgis? Or De Giorgi? I've also seen it written Di Giorgis. He says he is ready to defend our goal. Great, that's the attitude kid. Thing is, you see, he has hardly played in the last two years. During 2004-05 he had a very good season at Racing Club (CBA) --those whose hinchada are known as the Ninja Turtles, yeah, they're only four!. In 2006, he went to Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy to practice the art of bench-warming and he decided Jujuy was too hot for that so he moved to the milder breeze of Cordoba...to continue developing his bench-warming skills. But he's had enough. The unknown soldier has risen from the depths of nowhere and seems likely to start for Belgrano for the first time against Instituto.

That is Carlos de Giorgis. He spoke and he wants to play. The opportunity has presented to him. Let's pray he is as good as keeping as he is warming the bench.

PS. I ain't this nasty usually. But I couldn't help it...

Suarez relishing the prospect of joining Anderlecht

The latest news on the transfer of Matias Suarez suggest the player would be very keen on joining RSC Anderlecht. Van Holsbeeck returned from Argentina without a deal with Matias Suarez, but the player seems anxious to join Anderlecht: "It would be like a dream come true. The problem is that I don't speak English."

"If the transfer continues, I'll start learning English. But right now, I want to focus on my team Belgrano", he said.

So there you go Belgrano fan, let's enjoy Matias in what will probably be his last semester with us. He said he wanted two things for this year: to beat Talleres in the derby and to gain promotion with Belgrano. That will make my day.

Source: www.anderlecth-online.be

All set for Suarez transfer

When Armando Perez said last week that he had met with representatives from RSC Anderlecht, everybody knew the name on the table was Matias Suarez. Apparently, the negotiations went smoothly and, although the final transfer fee is still being worked out, everything suggests that Suarez will be heading to Belgium at the end of June 2008. Rumours indicate that Belgrano have set a minimum price of 1.2m euros and that the final fee could be decided at around 1.4m euros.

Although many fans are shocked at this decision and particularly at what they consider to be a ridiculous fee for such a talented player, the fact that Belgrano are in the second division and going through bankruptcy management limit the ability to negotiate a higher transfer fee. The buzz around the fans is that had the management waited for Belgrano to return to the top flight, they would have been able to sell Suarez for a considerably higher fee.

There are positives, though. Belgrano are inching ever closer to repaying the debt, have established a solid reputation for transfers to the international market (Bolatti, Peppino and Rios were transferred directly to Europe and Mexico) and will have certainly strengthened their links with European teams.

Suarez on the move?

According to several Belgian newspapers, the rumoured transfer of Matias Suarez to RSC Anderlecht is likely to be agreed in the coming weeks. Herman van Holsbeek, the manager of RSC Anderlecht, traveled to Argentina to wrap up the deal that would see Suarez join the Belgian club. Suarez, 19, has been attracting the interest of several local and international clubs and is regarded as one the most promising youngsters currently playing in Argentina.

Matias "Oreja" Suarez

The Belgrano board had firmly stated in several occasions that Suarez would not be leaving before June and are keen on keeping the player, especially if Belgrano win promotion to Primera. However, their plans may be hampered by the tricky financial situation the Club finds itself into since the last word in any transfer deal involving a Belgrano player is reserved to the administrating judge. In any case, in light of the evidence regarding recent transfers from Belgrano to other clubs, everything suggests that, should the right offer come in, the judge will most likely authorize the transfer and Suarez will join RSC Anderlecht.

Link to the news:

lesoir.be

sporza.be

fmbel.be

footgoal.net

Casado out for a month

Juan Casado has been ruled out for a month after a scan revealed a tear in his left leg. This means a blow to the team who had gradually relied on Casado for the generation of play. The coach had made him an integral part of his team and now will have to look for a replacement. It is likely that there will be a change in formation as well as Ferraro may decide to go with a 442 instead of the preferred 4411 with either Gigli or Bustos replacing the injured Casado. It will be important for other players to step up in order to make up for his absence. But fear not, Belgrano has depth and quality players all around.

Latest arrivals: Farre and Crossa

Belgrano have strengthened their squad with the signings of Guillermo Farre and Martin Crossa. Farre, a 26-year old cultured midfielder, arrives on a one-year loan with the possibility of a permanent move. The player had been playing at Central Cordoba de Rosario but said he was delighted to agree terms with Belgrano. The arrival of Crossa to Belgrano means promise of goals as the 30-year old experienced striker has had a long and successful career in several clubs from Uruguay and Europe. Both players had been in Pancho Ferraro's shortlist and will play this season for Belgrano. It is rumoured that Belgrano are looking to sign a goalkeeper as a replacement for the likely departure of Montoya. We hope these two players will contribute to our cause, which is none other than winning promotion to the Premier Division.

And there you go again...

The transfer of highly-rated keeper German Montoya to Velez Sarfield is "almost done", according to Velez's president Balestrini. Belgrano had declared a $ 1.1m minimum price for the keeper -which Velez has offered- but said that they would like to see offers around the $ 2.5m mark. The complex judicial situation of the club makes everything more difficult. For instance, while the player and the judge are willing to accept the offer, the chairman Armando Perez has declared himself disgusted with the pressure being put on him to sell the player. Most likely, Montoya will be transferred, we'll have to look for a replacement, and the relationship between the management and the judge and trust will reach a worrying low. We are happy for German Montoya, who has certainly a great future, but we are unhappy at the way these transfers have been handled.

The Rios saga continues

If Andres Rios thought his misconduct would have no consequences, well he should have thought better. The player was cited by the authorizing judge to declare on his abandonment of the club. Although Rios had been training with his "new" club Veracruz, he flew to Cordoba to comply with the judicial order. The player apologized over his actions but it appears that neither the judge nor Armando Perez will accept the offer for the player. It's been confirmed that Veracruz had a raise of their bid rejected again. And the Belgrano management have said that Rios will not be joining Veracruz. He will be cited to train with Belgrano and wait for new offers to come in. Although this is not an ideal situation for the player nor the club, we believe the player has brought it all on himself by refusing to comply with his obligations. As loyal and caring fans, we don't accept this behaviour and wish the best for the club. As for the player, he should better think twice before acting foolishly.

Gandin, Garcia and Lujambio are Belgrano targets

Belgrano are desperately looking for a striker. After many speculations, it appears that it's a two-horse race between Gandin and Lujambio. While both have been given the nod by Pancho Ferraro, Gandin looks like the best long-term bet. Belgrano have made an offer for the player to Colon (said to be around U$S 1m) but Gandin is hoping to sign for a first Division team. If that doesn't go well, then he will most likely sign for Belgrano. Lujambio, a former Belgrano favorite and declared fan, is the alternative option. While he is not getting any younger, he is still scoring goals. Finally, Belgrano are looking for a left-winger after Romero decided to sign for Argentions in the end. The candidate: Federico Garcia. He would be a great signing but Rafaela is not willing to let him go. Apparently, Belgrano are decided to go for a big offer aiming to lure Garcia's interest. Finally, the coach Pancho Ferraro said that the squad is 80-85% of the way and that he needs "3 or 4 more players".

Rios, Lazaga leave the club

Andres "Pulga" Rios has left the club in a surprise decision. Although there was an interest from Veracruz, no official offer had been made to the Trust in charge of Belgrano. Despite the coach having Rios as one of his key players, the player left the camp and took off to Veracruz where he is training with his new teammates. The decision angered the fans and the chairman has declared that Belgrano will do their utmost to block the move. Lazaga also left Belgrano but in his case the reasons were that he never settled and fell out with the coach. Armando Perez argued that it was in both the Club and the player interest to look for a way out of this situation. Belgrano have part ownwership of the player and may be looking to loan him out.

Belgrano land Bustos and Romero

Belgrano have signed left-winger Andres Romero and centre-forward Claudio Bustos from Ben Hur. Both players featured in the Ben Hur squad that escaped relegation last friday. Although relatively unknown, both players have been in Ferraro's shortlist from the begining of the pre-season. A warm welcome to them!

Belgrano sign Casado and close in on Bustos

Belgrano have agreed terms with 27-year old attacking midfielder Juan Casado. The former Velez player had a previous spell at Belgrano and was a vital part of the Platense team that did so well during the last season. He arrives to Belgrano on a one-year long loan and has already joined the squad in the pre-season. The player said that he was delighted to sign for a famous club and that he was looking forward to help them earn promotion this coming season. Below you can check out some of his goals at Platense:



It has also been rumoured that Claudio Bustos, a powerful 30-year old experienced centre-forward, has also agreed terms with Belgrano and will be joining the squad during this weekend. Bustos, who has scored many goals in his career in the Ascenso, has fallen out with the management at Ben Hur and has declared himself delighted of being linked with Belgrano. This likely addition to the squad means experience and goals, attributes that are needed in order to push for the title and promotion to the First Division.

Peppino signs for Veracruz

Belgrano skipper Franco Peppino has finally signed a contract for Mexican outfit Veracruz. The 25-year old defender said he was looking forward to this new opportunity and declared himself delighted of joininng the Tiburones Rojos. Peppino, raised in Belgrano's Youth Team, became a solid and dependable performer and was among the best Belgrano players in the campaign that saw the team gain promotion and also during last year in the Premier Division. The official fee remains undisclosed but it is said to be around $ 350k. We wish Franco the best in his new club and hope to see him again in a Belgrano shirt in the future.

Javier Lux joins Belgrano

The former Racing central midfielder (pictured, left) has joined Belgrano on a one-year loan contract. Lux, the little known brother of goalkeeper German, had previous spells at Talleres, Instituto, Estudiantes and Arsenal for whom he played in the last year. The 30-year old midfielder has lots of experience and is certainly a quality signing for the second division. Lux has already joined the squad at the Necochea facilities where Belgrano sweat it out during the pre-season. Good luck to Javier in his time at Belgrano!

Offers for Rios and Peppino

Veracruz have declared their interest in Belgrano players Andres Rios and Franco Peppino. It appears they have penciled formal offers for the two players at $ 350k for Peppino and $ 700k for Rios. Other rumours around the Belgrano camp are that some La Liga outfits have also shown interest in both players. What remains to be seen is whether the club will be willing to sell the players considering the coach feels they are key first team players. Earlier this month, the chairman had agreed with the coach Ferraro that both players would stay. The players, on the other hand, have stated that this would be a good opportunity to emigrate. We are confident that the directors will double their efforts to convince the players to stay. After all, we are not selling them that cheap...