Buenos Aires, Argentina – June 1st 2010

It is no secret that River Plate is going through some tough times, but as a club and as an institution. Daniel Passarella, president of the institution, decided not to travel to South Africa in his role of Vice President of AFA to remain in Buenos Aires and fix some of the problems in the club.

The main objective was to bring the Juventus-duo; Trezeguet and Camoranessi. However, the financial problems of the club did not allow negotiations to go through. The same financial problems have stuck the negotiations for Juan Pablo Carrizo, Mario Bolatti and Matias DeFederico.

In order to re-strengthen the squad, River started looking for players on a loan basis. The first three players that could sign for “El Millonario” this season are Josepmir Ballon, Leandro Caruso and Marcos Perez.

River and the Universidad de San Martin de Porres have already agreed on the transfer of the Peruvian International Josepmir Ballon. Initially, Ballon would arrive to River on a year loan for U$250,000, with the option of acquiring 50% of the player’s rights after the loan is over for U$750,000. “His arrival will only depend on an agreement between the player and the club” said Alvaro Barco, general director of the USMP. The 22 year old midfielder comes to the club to contest Matias Almeyda, captain and idol of the club.



Leandro Caruso admitted today that negotiations with River Plate are in progress, and that he expects to have positive feedback in the next few days. During an interview with Argentine media giant TyC Sports, Caruso admitted contact with both Daniel Passarella and Angel Cappa. Caruso, is expected to return to Italy to join Udinese for pre-season, however the interest from River Plate could change things, especially considering the fact that the Italian club is after several River Plate youngsters. Initially he would also arrive to the club on loan for one year.



The revelation of the Clausura 2010 was Marcos Perez. The Colombian International was key for Gimnasia LP to remain in first division. In the last couple of weeks his name had been linked to clubs like Boca Juniors, and Estudiantes de La Plata. However, Daniel Passarella has taken the necessary measures to contact Full Play, the company that manages his rights and a loan is already being negotiated. Perez would arrive on loan for one year with a buy option of U$2,500,000. If successful Perez would become the third Colombian center forward to join the club (Angel and Falcao). Upon his arrival, Gustavo Canales could depart to Colon de Santa Fe as part of a debt River holds with Colon.



Cappa also requested a goalkeeper, and after making unsuccessful efforts for Juan Pablo Carrizo and Justo Villar, Passarella is going after Gaston Monzon, the young goalkeeper of Huracan. Monzon was part of Cappa’s famous Huracan that gave birth to the tiki-tiki.

River begins to give shape to the new squad; we are 2 months away from the beginning of the Apertura and anything can happen. River may even surprise and brake the market in a surprise signing.

Ballon, Caruso and Perez could sign with River Plate this week

Very quietly, Argentina's 1st division has moved into its 4th week of action and the story is Rosario Central's perfect start to the tournament. Emilio Zelaya scored his team leading 2nd goal of the season as Los Canallas beat newly promoted Chacarita 1-0 on the road to stay atop the standings.

Copa Libertadores champions Estudiantes needed an 87th minute goal from Uruguayan defender Juan Manuel Díaz to beat Independiente 2-1 at home. The victory kept Estudiantes unbeaten in the tournament and in 2nd place.

Defending Argentine champions Vélez Sarsfield had their 3-game winning streak snapped with a 0-0 draw against one of its Buenos Aires rivals, San Lorenzo. The match featured a big name coaching matchup of Vélez's Ricardo Gareca & San Lorenzo's Diego Simeone however their acumen cancelled each other out. The result was San Lorenzo's 3rd consecutive draw of the season.

Banfield is the other surprise team of the tournament so far. Banfield traveled to Lanús and won 2-1 on the road to remain unbeaten and move into 3rd place. Uruguayan striker Santiago Silva scored twice including the game winning PK in the 66th minute to give Banfield the 3 points. Silva's brace make him the leading scorer in the tournament.

Here are the results & standings from Fecha 4:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Racing Club 1 - 1 Gimnasia La Plata
RAC: Rubén Maldonado (og 25')
GLP: Sebastián Romero (77')

Newell's Old Boys 0 - 1 Argentinos Juniors
ARG: Néstor E. Ortigoza (pen 65')

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Chacarita Juniors 0 - 1 Rosario Central
ROS: Emilio Zelaya (33')

Vélez Sarsfield 0 - 0 San Lorenzo

Tigre 1 - 2 Arsenal de Sarandí
TIG: Matías Giménez (14')
ARS: Cristian O. Alvarez (18') & Franco Jara (32')

Atlético Tucumán 2 - 0 Boca Juniors
TUC: Juan Pereyra (14') & Fábio Escobar (69')

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Lanús 1 - 2 Banfield
LAN: Santiago Salcedo (26')
BAN: Santiago Silva (31' & pen 66')

River Plate 0 - 0 Colón de Santa Fe

Estudiantes La Plata 2 - 1 Independiente
EST: Mauro Boselli (3') & Juan Díaz (87')
IND: Darío Gandín (10')

Godoy Cruz 1 - 1 Huracán
GCZ: Ariel Rojas (36')
HUR: Leandro Díaz (84')

STANDINGS

'09 Argentina Apertura Wrap - Week 4