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.

Suarez transfer: Anderlecht in front

Facsimile sent by Anderlecht (Source photo: LMCBA)

The scan above is a copy of the fax sent by RSC Anderlecht to Cordoba Celeste S.A., the administrators of Belgrano de Cordoba. It is dated on the 12th of February and confirms the offer of 1.2m euros for the transfer of Matias Suarez. It is understood that in the absence of offers from other clubs, the judge will authorize the transfer within the next 20 days. According to standard procedures, the judge issued an edict prompting interested clubs to submit formal offers for the player.

There are rumours that Santos Laguna from Mexico would be lodging a formal offer during next week. The judicial procedure states that in order for the offer to be considered, clubs have to make a cash deposit equal to 10% of the proposed offer.

Anderlecht bid 1.2m euros for Suarez

The Suarez saga seem to be nearing conclusion after Anderlecht RSC finally lodged a formal 1.2m euros bid for Matias Suarez. The Belgrano management confirmed that they have received the offer and it was passed onto the judge that will now be advised by the members of the trust on the next steps. It is understood that they will suggest a similar procedure as with the transfer of Bolatti. For this reason, in the next few days, the judge will issue an open call for bids. In the event of a matching offer, Anderlecht RSC will be given priority. It is also rumoured that Anderlecht RSC would be willing to increase their offer if other interested bidders come into play. Although there is no confirmation of what the window period will be, it is likely to extend for one or two weeks. This auction procedure is standard and enforceable in the case of clubs that have gone into management.

The good news for Belgrano is that the offer is finally on the table. Also, despite all the earlier speculation, we believe it is a good offer although still short of the 2m euro price tag that was once suggested. All bets are open then.

Suarez transfer update

According to local newspapers, one important Argentine club and a a powerful Italian investor would be on the brink of lodging formal offers for Matias Suarez. These rumors come in the midst of the speculation surrounding the transfer of Belgrano's top player. The Belgrano management have also said that they are expecting RSC Anderlecht to present a formal offer to the authorizing judge anytime this week.

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.

New keeper in town...

...and he is 37! Belgrano have agreed terms with Cesar Leonardo Monasterio to join Belgrano on a free transfer. The player, a cult hero at San Martin de San Juan where he played for 7 years, fell out with the president of his former club and was made redundant by the coach. Apparently, Gomez asked the directors to look for a third keeper since Belgrano have currently only two goallies among the trainees. Apparently, again, Monasterio is the one who fits the bill.

Monasterio has been around for a while since his debut for Deportivo Moron in 1993 and has played for several clubs from the second division including Platense and Almirante Brown de Arrecifes. He is a decent, reliable keeper that likes keeping a low profile.

Now, if this deal goes through (all should be finalized on Monday) one may wonder whether this is the sensible thing to do in this moment. True, he may cover up for the increasingly volatile Olave but he may also end up aimlessly dragging his ass around the stadium. So the question would be, is he gonna end up a steal or a bust? Only time will tell, but I am not entirely convinced on this signing.

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

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.

Belgrano sign Federico Garcia

Belgrano have secured the signing of the cultured 28-year left winger Federico Garcia (pictured). The Rafaela player spent last season on loan at newly-promoted Olimpo and joins Belgrano on a one-year loan. The player has already been training with his new teammates. With the arrival of Garcia, the squad is starting to look promising and our promotion hopes are becoming ever so real.

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".

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...