Palmeiras expressed an interest in reacquiring Merentiel; however, Boca Juniors deemed him non-transferable. Fernando Gago, the coach of Boca Juniors, reportedly views Merentiel as an essential player, serving as the primary alternative to Edinson Cavani, and appreciates his versatility and impact when coming off the bench. Despite Palmeiras' efforts to start negotiations, Boca Juniors, following Gago's instructions, refused to even entertain discussions about the transfer, effectively closing any possibility of negotiation. Merentiel's capacity to alter the course of a game from the bench, as he recently demonstrated in a match against Huracán, along with his adaptability in attack, were significant factors in Boca's decision. Moreover, with Edinson Cavani as the leading striker, Merentiel's role as a backup is deemed crucial, particularly given the possibility that Cavani might not be available for every game.