Transfer Tracker

Report: Schelotto eyes River Plate midfielder as LA Galaxy reinforcement

Ignacio Fernandez - River Plate - closeup

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report


Guillermo Barros Schelotto has moved on from his stint in charge of Boca Juniors to take the helm of the LA Galaxy. Yet a slice of the unending drama of Los Xeneizesā€™ bitter Buenos Aires rivalry with River Plate is following him to Southern California, according to a new media report.


Argentine outlet TyC Sports claims, intriguingly, that GBS is interested in signing River midfielder Ignacio Fernandez as a reinforcement for the Galaxyā€™s 2019 campaign.


The 29-year-old Argentinean is an attack-minded player capable of working both centrally or on the flanks and was a regular for Los Millonarios as they won last yearā€™s Copa Libertadores, edging Schelottoā€™s Boca side in a famously combative and contentious final that had to be completed in Spain due to a violent attack on Bocaā€™s team bus in the leadup to the second leg.


The report notes that Schelotto has held interest in Fernandez dating back to his days in charge of Lanus, but faces a tough task if he is to bring him into the fold in LA.


Beyond the challenge of fitting him into the Galaxyā€™s crowded roster and salary-budget outlook, GBS would have to convince River to part with a key player, and in doing so complete a deal with the man who, until recently, coached their fierce crosstown enemies.