Argentina transfer market 2026: ins and outs in the Liga Profesional | OneFootball

Signings, departures, negotiations, friendlies, and the most comprehensive report on the 30 teams of the 2026 Professional League.

The calendar marks the approach of January 25, and Argentine football is getting ready to fire up the engines for a new Torneo Apertura. However, before the ball officially starts rolling, the real game is played in the offices and boardrooms: a 2026 transfer market that is shaping up to be one of the most strategic in recent times. After a 2025 that broke statistical molds by leaving the country’s two biggest exponents without titles, the stage for this semester is set with renewed parity and a shared ambition throughout the entire First Division.

The countdown to opening weekend has already begun. Amid last-minute negotiations, bets on promising youngsters, and the return of experienced names, local football is shaping its new face. With the fresh memory of last year’s surprises, this Apertura 2026 promises to be the battlefield where it will be confirmed whether we are witnessing a new football order or if the traditional powerhouses will regain the command they held for over a decade.

According to the draft of the 2026 regulations already in the hands of the clubs, “the closing of the Registration and Transfer Window for the TORNEO APERTURA LPF 2026 will take place on Tuesday, January 20 at 6:00 p.m.”

However, the window will remain open until March 10 at 6:00 p.m. for clubs that transfer players abroad between Tuesday, January 20 at 6:00 p.m. and March 10, 2026.

ALDOSIVI

COACH Guillermo Farré continues

Facundo Oreja is the new Reserve team coach. After serving as assistant coach at clubs such as Porto, Independiente del Valle (Copa Sudamericana champion), and Cruz Azul, Facu will bring his expertise and experience to our development squad.

He will be joined by Fabián Assmann (assistant coach), Franco Ageitos (fitness coach), Juan Ignacio Pineda (goalkeeper coach), and Marco Galli (video analysis), under the coordination of Pipa Villar.

PRESEASON Training resumed on Saturday, December 20.

FRIENDLIES (2) Wednesday, January 14 against Atlanta. The first match ended goalless, and the second was 1-0 with a penalty goal by Villarreal.

On Saturday, January 17 against Platense, two friendlies were played in Mar del Plata. The first match ended goalless, and in the second, the Tiburón won 2-1 with goals by Juárez and Fernández, while Chicco saved a penalty. Tomás Nasif scored for El Calamar.

INCOMINGS (15) Lucas Rodríguez, left back, arrived on a free from Instituto and signed for one season.

Esteban Rolón, 30-year-old midfielder, arrives as a free agent from Boca Jrs. He has already signed a one-year contract. His last club was Belgrano until December 2024, when he last played.

Tomás Fernández, winger, was released by Boca and signed for one season. He played last season at San Martín de San Juan.

Joaquín Novillo, central defender, former Belgrano and Huracán, arrives with his transfer in hand from Paysandú of Brazil and signs until December 2027.

Ignacio Chicco, goalkeeper, mutually terminated his contract with Belgrano and arrived as a free agent.

Alan Sosa, winger, arrives from Gimnasia LP, on a 24-month loan with an obligation to buy based on objectives.

Franco Leys, midfielder, joined as a free agent from América de Cali

Federico Laurelli, 21-year-old central defender, free from Chacarita. Signed until December 2028.

Mauro Da Luz, 31-year-old Uruguayan forward, arrives from Asociación Deportiva Tarma of Peru. Signed a two-year contract as a free agent.

Rodrigo Márquez, attacking midfielder, arrived on loan from Independiente, but comes from playing at Platense.

Axel Werner, 29-year-old goalkeeper, on a one-year loan from Rosario Central. His rights belong to Elche (Spain).

Nicolás Cordero, forward, terminated with Huracán, leaving them 50% of economic rights. Signed with the Tiburón until December 2027.

Junior Arias, forward, arrives from San Martín de Tucumán.

Guillermo Enrique, right back, returned from Alianza Lima of Peru to Gimnasia, but terminated his contract with El Lobo and signed as a free agent with Aldosivi.

Nicolás Zalazar, defender, released by Instituto and signed with Aldosivi.

RETURNING FROM LOANS Elías Brítez, midfielder, returned from San Telmo and left the Tiburón.

Matías Morello, midfielder, Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta.

Emanuel Íñiguez, right back, Monagas of Venezuela.

DEPARTURES (12) Tobías Cervera, midfielder, returns to Rosario Central after his loan ended.

Gonzalo Mottes, central defender, released and signed with Chacarita.

Tiago Serrago, 21-year-old winger, ended his loan with River and was loaned by El Millonario for a year to Tigre.

Tobías Leiva, midfielder, ended his loan with River and was loaned by El Millonario to Estudiantes de Río Cuarto for a year, free of charge and with no purchase option.

Jorge Carranza, goalkeeper, retired from football.

Ayrton Preciado, Ecuadorian midfielder, released

Marcelo Esponda, midfielder, returns to Newell’s

Ignacio Guerrico, left back, released

Yonathan Cabral, defender, returns to Atlético Tucumán

Tomás Kummer, defender, ended his loan from Talleres Córdoba and was loaned to Racing de Córdoba.

Nahuel González, goalkeeper, released

Giuliano Cerato, defender, returns to Instituto.

Santiago Laquidaín, defender, ended his contract and was released. Signed with Liverpool de Montevideo for one year.

Gabriel Paredes, left back, moved to San Telmo.

Justo Giani, midfielder, moved to Universidad Católica of Chile.

Matías García, midfielder, ended his loan with San Martín de Tucumán.

Emiliano Rodríguez, Uruguayan forward.

Franco Rami, ended his loan with Belgrano and was loaned by El Pirata for a year with a purchase option of $350,000 for 70% to Ñublense of Chile.

ARGENTINOS

COACH Nicolás Díez continues

PRESEASON Returned to training on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

FIRST PRESEASON Santino Gianini (defender, born 2008)

⁠Santiago Silveira (defender, born 2008)

⁠Facundo Jainikoski (forward, born 2008)

Juan Ignacio Martín (midfielder, born 2007)

⁠Benjamín Rey (forward, born 2007)

FRIENDLIES (3) On Wednesday, January 7 at the Professional Football Center, the teams of Nicolás Diez and Matías Córdoba (Reserve) faced off in their first formal football commitments of the preseason. Two 30-minute halves were played in each match. Both were won by the First Division. The first match was 2-0 with goals at 29' 1st half by Infantino, 22' 2nd half by Molina. The second was 1-0 with a goal at 10' 2nd half by Giaccone.

On Saturday, January 10 at the Professional Football Center, Nicolás Diez’s team played two 70-minute friendlies against Sacachispas. In the first match, which ended 4-0 in favor of Argentinos, Gino Infantino opened the scoring just two minutes in. Later, at 6’, Lautaro Giaccone extended the lead from the penalty spot. At 33’, the first scorer made it 3-0. In the second half, at 7’, Tomás Molina finished the story and made it 4-0. The second match featured Diego Porcel, who, midway through the first half, scored the only goal: a narrow win for El Bicho.

On Wednesday, January 14 against Vélez at the Villa Olímpica, two 80-minute matches were played, both ending in draws. The first match had no goals. In the second, after the first half, Dilan Godoy opened the scoring for the home side, but nine minutes later, Leandro Fernández, making his debut for Argentinos, scored a great goal to make it 1-1. In the second half, at 10’, Lucas Gómez put El Bicho ahead, but at 35’, near the end, Michael Santos sealed the 2-2.

INCOMINGS (4) Gino Infantino, midfielder, arrives on loan from Fiorentina of Italy with a purchase option and signed a productivity-based contract until December. Last season, he played 3 matches at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.

Brayan Cortez, goalkeeper, arrives on loan from Colo Colo for one year with a purchase option. Signed under a productivity scheme. Last played for Peñarol of Montevideo.

Enzo Pérez, midfielder, arrived as a free agent from River and signed a contract until December under a productivity scheme.

Leandro Fernández, forward, arrives with his transfer in hand from Universidad de Chile and signed for one year under a productivity scheme.

RETURNING FROM LOANS Francis Mac Allister, midfielder, Instituto

Maximiliano Romero, forward, returned from O’Higgins of Chile and was loaned to Colo Colo until the end of 2026 with a purchase option for 50% of the rights.

Joaquin Ardaiz, forward, interrupted his loan with Sarmiento, which was until the end of 2026.

Leonel Mosevich, central defender, ended his loan with Instituto, but it was renewed for another year. Previously, he extended his contract with El Bicho until December 2027.

Matías Lugo, midfielder, O’Higgins of Chile

Matias Perelló, winger, returned from Central Córdoba and El Bicho sold 50% of his rights to Independiente del Valle for approximately $1,400,000. Signed until the end of 2029.

Leonardo Heredia, midfielder, returned to Central Córdoba and was loaned to Platense free of charge for one year with a purchase option for a permanent transfer.

Santiago Rodríguez, forward, Argentinos Juniors recalled him from Sarmiento and loaned him for one year with a purchase option to Gimnasia de Mendoza.

Jonathan Galván, defender, ended his loan at Central Córdoba and moved to Instituto on loan for one year with a purchase option for 100% of the rights.

Gastón Verón, defender, Central Córdoba

Manuel Guillén, right back, Tristán Suárez

Yair González, winger, returned from Deportivo Morón and was loaned for a year to Boston River, with a purchase option.

Facundo Báez, extended his loan with Morón until December, with no purchase option

Juan Manuel Cabrera, right back, returned from Deportivo Morón and was loaned for a year to Sarmiento.

Leandro Finochietto, goalkeeper, Deportivo Morón, moved to Güemes de Santiago del Estero for a year, free of charge and with no purchase option.

Lucas Ambrogio, winger, returned from Atlanta and was loaned to Nueva Chicago for a year with no purchase option.

Daniel Meza, midfielder, Dock Sud

Bruno Villalba, defender, Dock Sud

Gabriel Rocha, midfielder, Talleres RdE

Nicolás Tolosa, left back, Atlanta

Pablo Minissale, central defender, returned from Deportivo Madryn and was loaned to Mitre de Santiago del Estero for a year with no purchase option.

Lucas Chaves, goalkeeper, ended his loan with Volos of Panetolikos and was loaned for six months to Panathinaikos with a fee and a six-month purchase option.

Federico Lanzillotta, goalkeeper, returned from Bolívar of Bolivia, terminated his contract with El Bicho, and signed with Deportes La Serena.

Elías Peralta, returned from Sudamerica of Uruguay and was loaned to San Telmo for a year with no purchase option.

Mateo Díaz Chaves, forward, extended his loan with Chaco For Ever until the end of the year

Thiago Santamaria, defender, returned from Independiente del Valle, moved on loan to Sarmiento for a year

FIRST CONTRACT Mateo Maldonado (until December 2029)

Santiago Diez (until December 2029)

Alejandro Leiva (until December 2029)

Máximo Seggio (until December 2028)

Franco D’Andrea (until December 2028)

DEPARTURES Mateo Antoni, defender, to Alianza Lima of Peru on loan for a year, free of charge and with a purchase option of $1,400,000.

Manuel Brondo, forward, on loan for a year with a fee and an option to Atlético Tucumán.

OTHER DEPARTURES Diego Barros, winger, born 2005, was loaned to Nueva Chicago for a year with no purchase option.

Ian Silveira, defender, born 2006, was loaned to Nueva Chicago for a year with no purchase option.

Lázaro Brítez, defender, loaned to San Telmo for a year with no purchase option.

Mateo Maldonado, will be on loan at Mitre de Santiago del Estero for a year with no purchase option.

Santiago Farrera, midfielder, born 2005, released and signed a two-year contract with Guemes de Santiago del Estero.

Enzo Pérez signed with Argentinos Juniors

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.