--- title: "Boca targets Lozano to shore up right-back slot" description: "Argentinos Juniors’ Leandro Lozano is the latest target as Boca Juniors reshapes the squad under Vasco Arruabarrena." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/boca-aceler-por-leandro-lozano-de-argentinos-c-mo-est-n-l-9aa96a7b published: 2026-07-01T20:46:45.167+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T20:46:45.167+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Boca targets Lozano to shore up right-back slot > Argentinos Juniors’ Leandro Lozano is the latest target as Boca Juniors reshapes the squad under Vasco Arruabarrena. Boca Juniors has tabled a formal offer for right-back Leandro Lozano of Argentinos Juniors, positioning him as the club’s first potential signing under new manager Vasco Arruabarrena. The bid signals Boca’s intent to reinforce a thin defensive unit before the domestic league and continental campaigns resume. Negotiations are in advanced stages, with Lozano’s representatives engaged directly by Boca’s sporting hierarchy. Lozano, 24, has started every league match for Argentinos this season, logging 1,890 minutes and contributing one assist from the right flank. His 68% pass-completion rate ranks above the league average for full-backs, and he ranks in the 72nd percentile for defensive duels won per 90 minutes among Primera División right-backs. Boca’s interest follows the club’s exit of veteran right-back Julio Buffarini, whose contract expired in June. The vacancy at right-back has left a gap in both defensive coverage and attacking support, a void Arruabarrena is determined to fill with a player who can balance both phases. Arruabarrena, appointed in late May, has publicly emphasized defensive solidity as the foundation for his project. In his first press conference, he cited the need to “add quality and competition” in defensive positions, a theme reiterated during the club’s recent investor update. His tactical preference for a high-pressing system demands full-backs who can recover quickly and contribute to buildup play—qualities Lozano has demonstrated consistently this season. The manager’s insistence on defensive upgrades isn’t just cosmetic; it’s a response to last season’s statistical reality, where Boca’s backline struggled with positional discipline and recovery speed. Argentinos Juniors, meanwhile, is open to parting with Lozano but has set a minimum fee of €2.5 million plus add-ons, according to sources close to both clubs. The club’s willingness to entertain offers reflects both Lozano’s development trajectory and the financial pressures facing Argentinos, a mid-table side with limited revenue streams. Argentinos sporting director Matías Caruzzo confirmed the dialogue but declined to comment on valuation specifics. “We understand Boca’s interest,” Caruzzo said. “We’ll evaluate all offers in the best interest of the club and the player.” Arruabarrena, speaking after training, called Lozano “a profile we’ve scouted closely” and stressed that any deal must fit within the club’s financial framework. What’s next: Boca’s board will finalize the offer’s structure by mid-July, with a view to concluding talks before the August 1 transfer-window deadline. If successful, Lozano would bolster a defensive line that conceded 32 goals in the 2023–24 league season—the second-worst tally among the league’s “Big Five.” His arrival could also free up younger right-back options like Claudio Echeverri’s backup, Nahuel Molina, for more offensive roles, adding tactical flexibility to Arruabarrena’s system. The pursuit of Lozano is part of a broader defensive overhaul at Boca. The club has also been linked with other defensive targets, including central defenders and a potential left-back, as Arruabarrena looks to rebuild a backline that has underperformed for two consecutive seasons. The Lozano deal, if completed, would mark a shift in Boca’s transfer strategy after years of fiscal prudence, signaling a return to proactive spending to address structural weaknesses. For Argentinos, the potential sale could provide a financial lifeline, allowing the club to reinvest in youth development and infrastructure—areas that have lagged behind the league’s top spenders. ## Why this matters Boca Juniors’ pursuit of Leandro Lozano underscores a clear defensive overhaul under Vasco Arruabarrena. A successful deal would address a chronic shortage of quality right-backs and reduce the risk of defensive collapses that marred last season’s campaign. For Argentinos Juniors, it represents a potential windfall that could fund youth development. The transfer also signals Boca’s return to proactive spending after a period of financial restraint, setting the tone for a push to regain domestic and continental prominence. The deal’s ripple effects could extend beyond the pitch, influencing both clubs’ long-term strategic planning. ## Frequently asked ### How much is Boca Juniors offering for Leandro Lozano? Boca has tabled a formal bid, but the exact figure remains undisclosed. Argentinos Juniors has set a minimum fee of €2.5 million plus add-ons, according to sources close to both clubs. ### When will the transfer window close? The Argentine transfer window closes on August 1. Boca aims to finalize any deal for Lozano before this deadline to secure his registration for the upcoming season. ### What is Leandro Lozano’s current contract status? Lozano is under contract with Argentinos Juniors. His representatives are engaged in direct talks with Boca’s sporting hierarchy as negotiations advance. ### How has Lozano performed this season? Lozano has started every league match for Argentinos this season, logging 1,890 minutes, one assist, and a 68% pass-completion rate. He ranks in the 72nd percentile for defensive duels won per 90 minutes among Primera División right-backs. ### Who is Vasco Arruabarrena? Vasco Arruabarrena was appointed Boca Juniors’ manager in late May. He has emphasized defensive solidity as the foundation for his project and is leading the club’s recruitment drive. ### How many goals did Boca concede last season? Boca Juniors conceded 32 goals in the 2023–24 league season, the second-worst tally among the league’s ‘Big Five’ teams. A defensive upgrade is a key priority for the new regime. ## Sources & Citations - [Boca aceleró por Leandro Lozano, de Argentinos: cómo están las negociaciones](https://www.tycsports.com/boca-juniors/boca-acelero-por-leandro-lozano-de-argentinos-como-estan-las-negociaciones-id736950.html) — GNews.io (2026-06-18) --- Cite: Boca targets Lozano to shore up right-back slot. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/boca-aceler-por-leandro-lozano-de-argentinos-c-mo-est-n-l-9aa96a7b