Ranking the 20 Hottest South American Transfer Rumours
The continent of South American has long been a nursery for some of the world's best football talent. This transfer window, as with any, attention will be focused on the stars of Argentina, Brazil and the rest of the region to see who will be making the dream move across the Atlantic.
But it is not all one-way traffic. As you will see, plenty of established players from across the world are considering a move to South America, while the continent's coaches are in just as high demand in some cases as those who do the businesses on the field.
So which are the big transfers to watch out for in January? The 20 names given below are just a taste of the hottest rumours currently circulating from Buenos Aires to Belo Horizonte.
Elias to Asia?
1 of 20
With 10 goals in 25 Serie A games, striker Elias was a key figure in Botafogo's line-up as they finished fourth and secured all-important Copa Libertadores qualification.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Rio de Janeiro giants can hold on to their star for 2014.
The 26-year-old is currently on loan from minnows Resende and, according to Lance (in Portuguese), his current club would struggle to renew that link for the new season. The side's president affirmed that no offer had arrived from Botafogo and, in the meantime, two unnamed Asian teams are monitoring the situation.
No Central for Lugano
2 of 20
After a tough start to their first season back in Argentina's top flight, Rosario Central eventually found their way. A tight victory over bitter rivals Newell's Old Boys proved the launching pad for a more-than-respectable season.
Now the Canalla are looking to reinforce—and are aiming high.
Ahora Deportes (in Spanish) affirmed that veteran striker Sebastian Abreu was heading negotiations to bring Diego Lugano to Rosario. That speculation was quashed, however, by president Norberto Speciale, who confirmed to Ole (in Spanish) that there isn't a deal in the works for Lugano.
Vietto to Liverpool
3 of 20Racing Club striker Luciano Vietto was one of the revelations of Argentina's 2013 Final tournament.
Although the youngster did not shine so brightly in the past championship, he should still have plenty of suitors come January.
One possibility for the 20-year-old, who in his native country has been compared to a young Javier Saviola, is at Anfield. According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds have been watching Vietto for a long period and could make a move in the next transfer window.
Aranguiz Emigrates
4 of 20
The only real surprise when it comes to Charles Aranguiz is why exactly it has taken so long for European clubs to learn of his existence.
The cultured midfielder has been a mainstay in one of Universidad de Chile's most successful periods in history and remains at the Santiago club.
But for how long? A report in respected local daily La Tercera links Aranguiz with a move to Alexis Sanchez's old stamping ground in Udinese.
According to the article (in Spanish), a bargain $2 million could tempt the Azul Azul to sell their gem to European football.
Luiz Antonio Leaving Flamengo
5 of 20
After making his debut in 2011, Luiz Antonio has quickly become one of Flamengo's brightest stars. The creative midfielder, however, is already getting itchy feet at the age of 22 and could line up in 2014 for another side.
Lance (in Portuguese) reveals that, although the youngster has a lucrative contract with the Fla until 2016, a legal technicality could set him loose. The club allegedly owes Luiz Antonio wages dating back to 2009, and if a court upholds his debt, then he would be free to seek alternative employment.
No interested clubs are mentioned, but a player of that calibre for free would send the Brazilian and European markets buzzing.
Pizzi to Valencia
6 of 20
San Lorenzo coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is the man of the moment.
The former Barcelona striker won the 2013 Torneo Inicial with his Argentine charges, raising his stock at a time where South American tacticians (think Simeone, Martino and Pellegrini) are more valued than ever.
According to local daily La Nacion (in Spanish), Pizzi has emerged as a top candidate for the post at Spanish club Valencia.
However, the newspaper reports that the ex-Universidad Catolica coach said thanks but no thanks to the Mestalla outfit, preferring to stay put in Buenos Aires and compete in next year's Copa Libertadores.
Or Maybe Bielsa...
7 of 20
After hearing Pizzi's initial negative response, a new Argentine coach has emerged as a possibility to take over at Valencia. And this man would be more than welcome back in Spain thanks to his enthralling style of management.
Marca (in Spanish) asserts that, while the San Lorenzo man continues to be the first option, Marcelo Bielsa could be making a spectacular return to La Liga, which he left at the end of last season when his Athletic association came to an end.
The sports daily reports that "El Loco" is a possibility, although a presumably high contract could dissuade Valencia directors.
La Bruja Considers Future
8 of 20
Having previously retired, Juan Sebastian Veron made a spectacular return to Estudiantes the past season, although at the age of 38, he could not help the La Plata side achieve more than a mediocre Inicial campaign.
Once more, the future of La Brujita has made it on to the front pages of Argentina's sports media.
La Brujita, formerly of Manchester United, Chelsea and Lazio, told state news agency Telam that the issue of a second retirement is something he would have to think over with his family.
Estudiantes will hope that the dynamic midfielder has at least one more season left in him.
Fucile on the Way to Nacional
9 of 20
Uruguayan giants Nacional could be making a blockbuster transfer in order to stiffen their defence for the Clausura championship. None other than Uruguay international Jorge Fucile, currently at Porto, is linked with making a return to his homeland.
The versatile defender, according to Ovacion (in Spanish), also enjoyed interest from Penarol, but will finally opt for the Tricolor.
And Calzada Is Leaving
10 of 20
That piece of good news for the Parque Central side could be tempered with an important loss to the squad in January. Young attacking midfielder Maximiliano Calzada is expected to leave in the next few days to Mexican football.
The 23-year-old, who represented the Celeste at the 2012 London Olympics, will soon become Santos Laguna's first signing of the new year, according to a report released by Goal Mexico (in Spanish).
Cavenaghi Close to River
11 of 20
Physical striker Fernando Cavenaghi was one of the key reasons River Plate made an immediate return to the Primera Division after being relegated for the first time ever in 2011.
The ex-Mallorca, Pachuca and Inter hitman netted 19 goals in the Nacional B, enough to see him crowned as top scorer.
A fall-out with coach Matias Almeyda and president Daniel Passarella saw Cavenaghi leave immediately afterwards; but neither remains at the club and the doors are open to his return, says Telam (in Spanish).
The 30-year-old striker affirmed he'd always said he would return to River, although he also has another offer on the table from champions San Lorenzo.
Scocco in Argentina Return
12 of 20
Ignacio Scocco's return to Argentine football for the 2012/13 seasons was an unqualified success. The Newell's striker plundered 24 goals across the two short championships, being crowned top scorer in both and helping the Rosario club to the Final title in June.
Now, after a frustrating six months in Brazil with Internacional, the ex-AEK Athens and Pumas hitman could be going back once more.
New River Plate president Rodolfo D'Onofrio, fresh from winning Sunday's elections, confirmed that Nacho was a top priority (in Spanish). But with the club's bank balance bleeding red ink, the chief also admitted that an investor or third-party sponsor would be needed to make the deal happen.
Maxi Lopez Offered to Racing
13 of 20
Maxi Lopez has been in all the Argentina headline in past weeks, due to his separation from wife Wanda Nara and the model's subsequent, very public courtship of Mauro Icardi. Now, though, the striker has reappeared in the sports pages.
Racing Club president Victor Blanco revealed to Ole that the Catania man has been offered (in Spanish) to La Academia, who are searching for a striker.
Rafinha Closes Corinthians Door
14 of 20
Reigning world champions (at least until the weekend) Corinthians had dreamt of reinforcing the back-line with a defender who had rubbed shoulders with the best.
According to Lance (in Spanish), Bayern Munich's Rafinha had conversed several times with directors of the Timao and a deal appeared a distinct possibility.
But that door was rudely shut by the news that the Brazilian had agreed to extend his stay with the Bavarians, signing a new contract until 2017.
“It’s very important for me, my career and my family that I have the chance to continue working at one of the best clubs in the world. I’m very proud,”
After putting pen to paper, the full-back told Bayern's official website on Thursday that he was proud to continue at one of the best clubs in the world.
Santos and Sao Paulo Go for Vargas
15 of 20
Chile international and former Napoli man Eduardo Vargas looks set to be caught in an intra-city battle for his signature this Brazilian summer.
Both Santos and Sao Paulo from the nation's biggest city are interested in taking on the rapid forward for the coming season.
As Globoesporte (in Spanish) explains, Vargas spent the last 12 months on loan at Gremio, where he posted a respectable albeit unelectrifying 10 goals in Serie A.
His contract still belongs to Napoli and his Brazilian suitors will offer around R$2.5 million to try and tempt the Italians to release him for another term.
Arevalo to Become a Cacique?
16 of 20
Anyone who has watched Uruguay over the last four years will know the imposing figure of Egidio Arevalo Rios. Partnering Diego Perez in midfield, the destroyer helps make the Celeste one of the most intimidating national teams on the planet.
Currently on the books at Tijuana after being released by Chicago Fire, the 31-year-old is named by La Nacion (in Spanish) as a target for Chilean heavyweights Colo Colo.
Arevalo revealed that he had made contact with directors and, if a loan deal can be arranged with the Mexican side, a new chapter for the star could be ready to begin.
Bruno Zuculini
17 of 20This young Racing Club star is one of the highest-rated players in the Argentine league. The younger brother of Franco debuted at 16 as a conventional defensive midfielder, but as he has matured, "Zucu" has began to add more attacking elements to his game, which makes him a threat arriving late into the box.
The president of the side, Victor Blanco, admitted back at the start of December that the 20-year-old has been sold (via TyC Sports, in Spanish). The only question, which is being guarded very carefully, is where Zuculini will end up in June 2014.
Goal.com reported that the Argentine will be heading to Manchester City, who beat off competition from both rivals United and Barcelona to secure his signature. Confirmation, however, is yet to follow from the team coached by Manuel Pellegrini.
Heinze to Hang Up His Boots?
18 of 20
The return of Gabriel Heinze to Argentine football with Newell's Old Boys coincided with a sharp upturn in the club's fortunes.
Under the tenure of Gerardo Martino, the club won the 2013 Final and made the Copa Libertadores semi-final, only missing out on back-to-back national titles this December by two points.
Nevertheless, at 35, the future of El Gringo hangs in the balance. In an interview with radio station Vorterix (via ESPN, in Spanish), the defender announced his retirement.
However, Heinze backtracked just minutes later in the same chat, adding that the support from his team-mates has caused made him to ponder his decision.
Juan Sanchez Mino
19 of 20From Juan Roman Riquelme to Fernando Gago, Carlos Tevez and Ever Banega, Boca Juniors have an enviable record of sending young talent to Europe.
Juan Sanchez Mino, a rapid wideman capable of playing on the left side of either defence or midfield, could be the next star to make the trip.
In the face of rumours that the youngster would be leaving, president Daniel Angelici told Ole (in Spanish) that it is not the right time to sell him.
Angelici, however, did confess that he would evaluate any offer with the player himself. Ukrainian side Metalist has been rumoured as one possible destination for Sanchez Mino.
Dortmund in the Hunt for Lanzini
20 of 20River Plate playmaker Manuel Lanzini was one of the few bright points in an otherwise disappointing season at the Monumental. His skills, moreover, have not gone unnoticed across the Atlantic Ocean.
According to Infobae, Lanzini has caught the attention of 2013's Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.
The youngster is a similar player to Mario Gotze and could help fill the hole left by the current Bayern man; a bid of around €10 million (link in Spanish) is reported as the fee necessary to remove him from Argentina.
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