Mexico’s World Cup squad has been back from Brazil now for over a week, with players resting up and preparing for the upcoming season in Europe or the Liga MX. But for at least 10 of El Tri’s players in Brazil, there is still some doubt over which club they will suit up for.
Guillermo Ochoa was always going to be on the move with his contract expiring at the end of June. The free agent will not be short of clubs following displays in the World Cup that earned plaudits from far-flung corners of the world.
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Ochoa and his agent have repeated that the idea is to stay in France, but there have been rumors of interest from England, Spain, Italy and Germany, with a new club seemingly appearing every day.
Spanish outlet Diario AS has reported interest from Malaga, with ESPN indicating he could replace new Barcelona signing Claudio Bravo at Carlos Vela’s Real Sociedad. Another option for Ochoa could be Atletico Madrid, depending on Chelsea sorting out Thibaut Courtois’ situation.
The Mirror has stated Arsenal and Liverpool are among Ochoa’s potential suitors, while Bild quotes the Guadalajara-born keeper saying he’d love to play in the Bundesliga.
Within France, Ochoa’s name has been linked with Monaco (Victor Valdes’ transfer is currently up in the air) and Marseille, while AC Milan and Napoli are the Italian clubs that have shown interest.
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez again faces an uncertain summer, with the club’s new manager Louis van Gaal still busy with the Dutch national team in Brazil.
“Chicharito” has been clear he wants more minutes for both club and country, but a decision is unlikely until Van Gaal takes the reigns with the Premier League club. But that doesn’t mean the rumors haven’t been flying, with Southampton, Inter Milan, Valencia and Napoli the clubs linked to the 26-year-old.
The other really big Mexico mover was tipped to be Espanyol’s Hector Moreno, but his fractured tibia against the Netherlands means he’ll be out for around six months and it is unlikely a club (Tottenham was heavily touted as a possible destination) will come in while he is injured.
At Club America, there is at least one offer for Miguel Layun, with a return to Italy at Fiorentina a possibility, although Liverpool has also been mentioned by Mexican newspaper Fichajes.
Teammate and fellow wing back Paul Aguilar has been getting attention as well, from Barcelona, according to a story in Mundo Deportivo.
It’s been quieter for striker Raul Jimenez, but he said during the World Cup that there is an offer from Germany. Certainly, the arrival of Oribe Peralta to Las Aguilas should make it easier for him to leave.
Andres Guardado’s career seemed to be in a bit of a rut, but the World Cup has revitalized him and he has thanked Miguel Herrera for helping get back to form.
At the club level, Guardado is still contracted to Valencia, which loaned him out to Bayer Leverkusen last season. But Juan Antonio Pizzi has since been fired as manager and been replaced by Nuno, leaving Guardado’s situation up in the air.
Leon midfielder Jose Juan Vazquez had a tournament that surpassed all expectations and garnered interest from Italian giant Roma, although the Liga MX club's president Jesus Martinez stated there has been no formal offer.
La Fiera teammate Carlos “Gullit” Pena acknowledged he was being followed by European clubs heading into the World Cup, but his lack of minutes at Brazil 2014 may have hampered his progress, as Martinez has hinted.
That isn’t the case with Alan Pulido, who reported Sunday with Tigres. He has been involved in a drawn-out saga with his club about a possible move to Olympiakos.
The 23-year-old forward has said he’d like a move to Europe and the offer from Greece remains on the table if Tigres agree to it.
Cruz Azul’s Marco Fabian also has an offer from Europe, according to his agent, but it will be a complicated deal with La Maquina having the option to buy the player from Chivas, who remain his parent club.