Joachim Vercaigne, with his extensive network in Central and South America, immediately plays to his strengths at Antwerp FC. The Argentinian defender Ayrton Costa (24, Independiente) is well on his way to the Bosuil.
His profile and qualities inevitably evoke comparisons with Gaston Avila, the former Argentinian defender of the Great Old.
Vercaigne has an extensive network in Central and South America
When Antwerp FC decided three years ago to no longer continue with Luciano D’Onofrio, Sven Jaecques saw Joachim Vercaigne as the perfect candidate to set up a new scouting cell, together with Marc Overmars.
The club relied mainly on experienced players brought in through D’Onofrio, but struggled to bring in young talent. That is why the arrival of Vercaigne as chief scout was a golden opportunity for Antwerp.
Today, Vercaigne has a team of seven scouts under him at Antwerp and he is putting his stamp on the club’s transfer policy. He has an extensive network in Central and South America and searches for untapped markets.
For example, the transfer of Willian Pacho for 16 million euros, purchased for 3 million euros, to Eintracht Frankfurt bears his signature. In Ecuador he discovered Pacho at Independiente del Valle, and later Anthony Valencia at the same club.
“Even if there is only one good player in Venezuela, I want to find him,” Vercaigne said earlier Gazette of Antwerp.
Vercaigne makes his mark: first summer transfer on the way
Joachim Vercaigne formed a good tandem with Marc Overmars, who is someone who gives confidence and freedom to his employees. The last news writes that Vercaigne is considered mature enough to make his mark on a sporting level during the Dutchman’s absence.
The standard emphasized that Vercaigne is known as an expert with many contacts. Gazette of Antwerp warns that Antwerp is facing a very busy transfer summer and that the club is currently busy with the file of Ayrton Costa (24).
The central defender, who can also play at left back, plays for CA Independiente in Argentina. According to the newspaper, Antwerp visited him on site, where the club is so convinced of his qualities that it is now trying to reach an agreement with Independiente.
Costa was also in the interest of Club Brugge, but he also sees a transfer to the Great Old as a good option.
Independiente must sell Costa
Ayrton Costa is said to be available for just under 2.5 million euros. There are already whispers in Argentina that he may be experiencing his last months at Independiente.
The club is struggling with financial obligations and is in urgent need of fresh capital to pay off these debts. Selling players is seen as one of the solutions to alleviate the economic situation, and Costa is at the top of the list of transfer contenders.
With his age of 24, his versatility on the pitch – he can play as either a left back or a left centre-back – and his consistent performances throughout the season, he is considered one of the club’s most valuable assets with a great potential for a lucrative transfer.
According to Argentine media, Costa is very close to a transfer to RAFC.
Ayrton Costa: the new Avila?
Ayrton Costa is known for his fiery temperament and his strength in one-on-one situations. His play embodies the typical Argentinian grinta, passion and winning mentality, which would make him a valuable asset for Antwerp FC.
With his versatility at both left and center back positions, his performances inevitably draw comparisons to Gaston Avila, previously at Antwerp and now at Ajax. Avila was mainly noticed last year for his Argentinian fighting spirit, hard play and defensive skills.
“Gaston has that typical Argentinian DNA. He is a real fighter,” Michel-Ange Balikwisha said at the time. Avila always played with the knife between his teeth, but sometimes he went over the edge with his hard play.
Although his eccentric actions and sharp tackles often attracted attention, he also regularly flirted with yellow cards and sometimes made ill-considered actions. “Defended so aggressively that he simply gave away the corner for the opening goal,” said The newspapaer for example fixed.
“He sometimes seemed to act like a fool,” he wrote Gazette of Antwerp. Avila’s excuse was that things happen faster in Belgium than in Argentina, where the matches are more physical.
“That is normal in Argentina, but here people sometimes think that my way of playing is a bit too fierce. I had to find that balance,” he said in an interview with The last news.
