With the season in Argentina concluded, Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 867 players in the Torneo Clausura. While there has been some change at the top, with three players, Maher Carrizo (Vélez Sarsfield; €10m), Kevin Lomónaco (Independiente; -€2m), and Juan Ignacio Nardoni (Racing Club; -€1m) now occupying the top spots, the league’s most exciting talent saw significant market-value adjustments. Among those players are Lautaro Rivero (River Plate), Facundo Cambeses, Marco Di Césare (both Racing), Exequiel Zeballos, Lautaro Di Lollo, Kevin Zenón (all Boca Juniors), and Agustín Medina (Lanús).

One player who stood out for finalist Racing Club is goalkeeper Cambeses. Although he couldn’t stop Estudiantes from winning the league (5-6 on pens), Cambeses saw his market value improve by 194.1% from €1.7m to €5m. “He was called up to the national team during the last international break,” Transfermarkt Area Manager South America and Argentina, Scott Christensen, said. “After winning the no.1 spot, he made an immediate impact on the team, and he is now the most valuable goalkeeper in Argentina, together with San Lorenzo’s Orlando Gill (unchanged). In my opinion, he has the potential to be part of Argentina’s World Cup squad next year.”

The same can’t be said for his teammate Di Césare. “After he joined Racing from Argentinos Juniors, he became one of the best center-backs in the league,” Christensen said. “Apparently, Racing had some €8m offers from Italy and the Netherlands over the last half year. They rejected those offers, and since then, his level has dropped a bit. At times, he didn’t even start for Racing anymore.” As a result, his market value dropped a bit by 25% from €8m to €6m. “One of his best qualities is playing the ball from the back, but that’s been inconsistent and, as a result, he receives his second downgrade in a row.”

At Argentina’s two big clubs, River Plate and Boca Juniors, there have been both good and bad news. After what was a terrible campaign, River saw 22 of their players downgraded as part of this market value update. “Rivero is the only good news of this update,” Christensen said. “Brought back early from his loan from Central Córdoba, Rivero is a fast and aggressive center-back, who is very good with his feet.” Rivero saw his market value increase by 75% from €4m to €7m, the second biggest upgrade behind Cambeses.

Meanwhile, at Boca Juniors, star players had ups and downs as well. The most valuable player after the update is Zeballos. The 23-year-old striker saw his market value increase from €4.5m to €7m. “After suffering two serious injuries, Zeballos has not just recovered but played with confidence, and is now Boca’s best player in one-on-one situations,” Christensen said. Another Boca player with a significant upgrade is center-back Di Lollo. “He has improved a lot since the first half of the season,” Christensen said. “Di Lollo is a tall and strong center-back, who can join the attack.” His market value has increased by 50% from €4m to €6m. Down in market value at Boca is midfielder Zenón. “After being their best player a year ago, he had a season to forget,” Christensen said. “He barely plays and lacks confidence.” Zenón’s market value is down 21.4% from €7m to €5.5m

Away from Boca and River, a young talent continues to make incredible progress in his development: Agustín Medina. The 19-year-old Lanús midfielder saw his market value increase by 50% from €3m to €4.5m. “He became a key player in Lanús’ midfield,” Christensen said. “Medina stood out in the club’s run to the Copa Sudamericana title. He is very good at recovering the ball, not just as a defensive player but also by participating in the attack.”

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees.

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).