Recently, we began searching for market opportunities in different leagues where young center-backs with the potential to end up in bigger clubs could be found. In this search, we reserved one of the leagues that has been producing a lot in the past year, to the point of having very interesting options that are already starters in various teams. So, we are going to discover them and focus solely on Argentine football, a land where they have produced numerous defenders with extraordinary abilities not only to recover the investment but also to be future appreciation options.
Ian Glavinovich – Newells – 2001 – Contract ends December 2025 – Market value of 1.7 million euros
Ian Glavinovich, close to leaving Newells on several occasions due to lack of opportunities, is one of the names that will soon leave Argentine football. Coveted by MLS clubs and with a Croatian passport, Ian Glavinovich, at 22, is, according to our data, one of the most complete central defenders in the Argentine panorama. According to the albiceleste fervor, exceptional in the air, strong in duels, with the personality to take the ball and provide tranquility to his teammates, all our data, metric by metric, or adapted by team, looks exceptionally good on him.
Felipe Sánchez – Gimnasia La Plata – 2004 – Contract ends December 2024 – Market value of 800k euros
At just 20 years old and with an Italian passport, Felipe Sánchez is another talent to watch. Although he doesn't stand out as much with the ball, he is equally assertive and determined in aerial disputes. Very interesting projection, with a left dominant profile and foot to keep an eye on. He already accumulated over 2500 minutes at 19 years old in the previous regular season, showing the first signs, but in this Professional League Cup, he is growing even more. He was the U20 player with the most minutes played during 2023 in Argentine football.
Tobías Palacio – Argentinos Jrs. – 2006 – Contract ends December 2026 – Market value of 2.5 million euros
Perhaps the player who may attract the most attention on the list due to his youth. An international with the Argentine U-17 team, Tobías Palacio is already an undisputed starter with Argentinos Juniors. An impeccable introduction. Perfect physique in terms of height, agility, mobility, and speed. Very determined in duels, somewhat impetuous and hasty in marking, but with very good conditions to attract scouts from European leagues. Our Score reflects his great consistency in play in the Professional League Cup.
Nicolás Romero – Atlético Tucumán – 2003 – Contract ends December 2024 – Market value of 3.5 million euros
Already highlighted as one of the U-21 center-backs in a previous text. We consider Nicolás Romero one of the most promising center-backs in Argentine and South American football. With over 2000 minutes in 2023 at 19 years old, he is another center-back with great conditions, also left-footed and with a lot of defensive capacity and performance. His major deficit is his ball-playing ability, being more of a marker for direct, aggressive teams with skill in duels, handling well in open field. Despite not playing for any major club in Argentina, he already has a really high market value due to his age and experience.
Santiago Ramos Mingo – Defensa y Justicia – 2001 – Contract ends December 2026
A different profile, distinguished by his great ball control and ability to build and secure possession to progress from the back. Loaned to Defensa y Justicia from Leuven, another left-footed profile, always in demand for teams that choose to build from the back, with a background in Barcelona B. With an Italian passport, Santiago Ramos Mingo is about to meet the GBE requirements to play in the United Kingdom.
