Gustavo Costas, on family vacation but fully committed to Racing: his strong message to the players to compete for the Libertadores and his concern for Salas

The message comes from abroad, where Gustavo Costas is enjoying his free time with his family. In the photo, he is seen with his youngest son, both dressed in official Racing uniforms and carrying a towel with the crest. "I hope the whole group is enjoying this well-deserved vacation. We've already won the Copa Sudamericana and the Recopa Sudamericana , now we're all working together towards the dream of taking the club to the top and winning the Libertadores ," the coach posted on social media.

This isn't a casual post. And although Costas is a big Racing fan, and that's why he wears his work clothes, he makes it clear he's involved. That's why he chats with the players from a distance. He's had two important conversations recently. One with Maximiliano Salas and the other with Duvan Vergara .

The forward he brought from Palestino in Chile, where he managed in 2023, was tempted by none other than Marcelo Gallardo . The coach was reassured when he was informed that he could only leave if the player himself executed the net $8 million buyout clause. So far, River only offered $3,500,000 for 50%, and Diego Milito warned that he won't negotiate, much less with a direct competitor .

The other conversation was with the América de Cali striker. Costas is a highly regarded coach in Colombia , where he won five titles with Santa Fe de Bogotá . Vergara is 28 years old and is a left winger. Racing will pay $1 million, and since the club owes them $2 million for Juan Fernando Quintero, the bill will be settled.

Another player who could be on the up in this transfer market is Alan Forneris , from Colón de Santa Fe. The 20-year-old midfielder is a gamble. He played 14 matches in the Primera Nacional and could leave for $1,200,000 for 80% of the transfer.

The coach said he's waiting for new players. "We need three or four reinforcements if we want to fight for the Cup," he said at the last press conference, after thrashing Colo Colo and securing first place in Group E. For more stars to arrive, sales will have to be awaited.

In that regard, there's an offer from Spartak Moscow for Gastón Martirena . They could pay $10 million. Another player on the horizon is Juan Nardoni . Racing owns 70% of the player (the remaining percentage belongs to Unión), and there have been many inquiries, but no formal offer. Marco Di Cesare is also in the sights of some European clubs.

Meanwhile, Racing has secured a venue for its preseason training. It will be the Complejo Internacional del Este, located in Paraguay , which has 20 hectares, eight soccer fields, and two hotels. It's the same sports center where it underwent its preseason training last year. Of course, it didn't go badly.