Mexico Players Attracting Big European Clubs

A good showing at the World Cup for any player can bring fame, glory and, of course, job offers. After making history by winning both of their opening World Cup games, 1-0 against defending champions Germany and 2-1 against South Korea, several Mexican National Team players are getting eyed by big clubs all across Europe. Transfer rumors and reports all around the globe are circulating, so check out which organizations are salivating over top Mexican talent.

Note: All transfer rumors come from Record.com

1. Hirving Lozano

We’ve already covered this, but it’s well worth mentioning again. Mexico’s golden boy is on FC Barcelona’s radar. “Chucky” has long been a talent to watch for since he led his team, PSV Eindhoven, with 17 goals and nine assists en route to winning the 2017-18 Eredivisie title. Lozano had a season Mexican players dream of in his FIRST year in Europe. He hasn’t slowed down in the World Cup, either. Everton, with their new sporting director Marcel Brands, formerly of PSV, is also keen on bringing Lozano to the Merseyside club. Joining the Toffees and the Catalans in the battle for Lozano is Arsenal FC as well as the Italian champions Juventus, who have reportedly already approached PSV for a price on the 22-year-old. The dutch club responded with a price of around 35 million euros.

2. Miguel Layún

What a turnaround for Layún. The first half of the 2017-18 season found the fullback relegated to the bench at Porto. He emigrated to Sevilla on loan for the second half of the season and had a small resurgence, but it was in both opening games of the World Cup where he shined the most. In a brand new position, the right wing, Layún looked right at home and his high workrate on both sides of the pitch was shown. And it seems like several teams have noticed. Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and AC Milan are all reportedly interested in the 30-year-old. Layún himself admitted to not seeing himself donning a Sevilla uniform next season, as the Andalusian club has yet to make his loan transfer permanent. Monday’s game against Brazil could see Layún go up against Atletico’s Filipe Luis, a left back that he may be competing with for a starting spot come fall.

3. Edson Alvarez

This rumor has been circulating since before the World Cup when Alvarez was proving himself at Club America last season. The youngest player on Mexico’s World Cup roster already has Juan Carlos Osorio and Miguel Herrera’s infinite praise, and the 20-year-old proved he could hang with the best of them against Germany and South Korea. His own goal against Sweden was unfortunate, but he alone was not to blame for a game in which the entire defense looked lost. A team like Ajax seems like the perfect destination for Alvarez. A big club in a relatively facile league to get accustomed to Europe. Plus, he’ll be competing for a championship right away against Lozano’s PSV. Clearly a move that would benefit the young Aguila tremendously.

4. Hector Moreno

Moreno is another one of those guys who had a tough year at his club team. He failed to make any noise while at Roma, leading to his transfer to Spain’s Real Sociedad. He’s had a solid six months with the Basque club, but his time there might be numbered. Atletico Madrid is also reportedly knocking on Sociedad’s door about Moreno. The former Pumas UNAM defender may find it hard to break into Madrid’s first team however, barring a summer exit for Diego Godin, who reportedly has just a €20 million release clause. Moreno will be greatly missed for Mexico against Brazil on Monday after the center back received a one-game suspension for two yellow cards in the group stage.

5. Hector Herrera

“El Zorillo” Herrera began his career at FC Porto as an unknown and steadily built his legacy until he became a household name at the Estádio do Dragão. He’s captained the squad on many occasions, and scored some wonderous game-winning goals for the Dragons. However, many agree that it may be time for ‘HH’ to test the waters elsewhere. If you can believe it, newly-appointed head coach Julen Lopetegui, Herrera’s old strategist at Porto, wants him at Real Madrid. Lopetegui expressed interest in signing him after the Mexico-Germany game, a match in which Herrera was the fourth best Mexican player on the pitch according to SofaScore. Others interested are Roma and Olympique Lyon. Roma might be the best option here because Herrera will certainly get playing time with the recent departure of Radja Nainggolan to Inter, while still playing in a highly competitive league like the Serie A.

6. Guillermo Ochoa

Oh, Memo, your club career doesn’t hold a candle to your international career, and that’s a shame. Ochoa’s never had the best of luck at club teams. He was a cult hero at Ajaccio, but that couldn’t stop the team from being relegated. He was out of favor at Malaga, once again in a bad situation at Granada, and is now between the posts in the Belgian Pro League. He deserves so much better due to his performances with El Tri, and he may get his big move this summer. Italy is calling Ochoa’s name with Napoli and Fiorentina both interested in the 32-year-old. Either team would be huge for Ochoa’s career, and he could finally get that Champions League or Europa League debut that he deserves.

Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images

7. Diego Reyes

Reyes may not be in Russia due to injury, but according to FC Porto President Pinto da Costa, he also may be on the move this summer. “Diego Reyes signed for a new club long ago, he’s no longer a part of our plans,” da Costa said via O Jogo. It has still not been confirmed by neither Porto nor this mysterious club about Reyes’ departure from the Primeira Liga champions. Reyes’ contract was set to expire June 30, so we may see new details popping up in the near future. Reyes played 12 times for Porto this past season, starting in nine games and scoring two goals.

Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images

Others

While we’re on the topic, Omar Govea, who has made three caps for Osorio and Mexico, has declared that several teams around the world are interested in his services. It’s still unclear as to which ones, but the 22-year-old has stated that various clubs playing Champions League and Europa League next season are in the running.

Also, in case you missed it, these Mexican players have already made their European moves; Nestor Araujo from Santos Laguna to Celta de Vigo, Oswaldo Alanis from Chivas to Getafe, Raul Jimenez from Benfica to Wolverhampton on loan and Jorge “Chaton” Enriquez from Chivas to AC Omonia.

Which player are you looking forward to seeing on the move this summer? Let us know in the comments down below!