Exequiel Zeballos: Boca seeks last-minute deal to avoid losing player for free

Exequiel Zeballos, once considered Boca Juniors' most valuable player, is now in a precarious situation as his contract nears its end. The 25-year-old forward is not training with the first team, neither with the starters nor the reserves, signaling a significant shift in his standing with the club.

Since the World Cup break, Zeballos has been participating in the initial part of training sessions but is then separated to perform other exercises. This decision, a consensus between the club's management and coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena, aims to avoid showcasing a player who could depart as a free agent in just 129 days. Neither the club nor the coach wants to invest time in a player not fully committed to staying.

Boca Juniors offered Zeballos a contract renewal with a modest salary increase. Club officials state that he had already received a considerable raise in his previous renewal, which coincided with a period of strong performance before a serious injury in 2022. However, Zeballos reportedly sought a more substantial increase. With his contract expiring soon, no club has shown willingness to pay the millions Boca's leadership is demanding for his transfer, especially given the possibility of signing him for free.

Zeballos' last match for Boca was on May 28, a 1-0 loss to Universidad Católica in the Copa Libertadores group stage. His form has declined since then, compounded by recurring physical issues and uncertainty about his future. While Zeballos has promised to leave some financial benefit for the club, the current stance suggests a difficult negotiation process as Boca seeks an agreement before losing him without any compensation.