Latest El Tri-related transfer rumors include ‘Chucky’ to LAFC

With the Concacaf Leagues Cup poised to being the knockout round and Liga MX still paused for another 2 1/2 weeks, it seems like an ideal time to poke around some of the transfer rumors involving members of El Tri.

The story getting the most attention on social media is the report that “Chucky” Lozano has accepted an offer to leave Serie A champs Napoli for MLS champions LAFC where he would team up with Carlos Vela.

The El Tri winger is out of contract next summer and Napoli does not want Lozano to leave on a free so they presented him with an extension at a drastically reduced price. Naturally, “Chucky” said “no, thanks” and in response the club separated him from the first team.

Napoli threatened to sideline the El Tri star for the entire season, but eventually relented and included him on their preseason squad list. Then the LAFC rumors emerged … so now we must play wait and see.

The ongoing Edson Álvarez saga

The El Tri midfield bulldog has been linked to several teams during the summer break including Bundesliga clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

However, Ajax has a high opinion of Álvarez and is willing to hold out for its asking price, content to keep him on the payroll another season if no team is willing to match the buy-out fee. Neither of the German giants were willing to cough up the big bucks and they backed out.

Then West Ham United sold Declan Rice to Arsenal and began shopping for a defensive midfielder, even starting talks with the Dutch club. But the Hammers went in a different direction.

Now comes word that English Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United have expressed interest in Edson, aka “El Machín.” However, it behooved El Tri fans to be a bit skeptical, and learn to be content with the possibility that Álvarez might spend another year in the Eredivisie. Not the worst fate, to be honest. And there’s always the winter transfer window to consider.

Barça sends Julián Araujo out on loan

El Tri right back Julián Araujo will play for newly promoted LaLiga club Las Palmas this season as Barcelona management prefers to find him some playing time instead of allowing the 21-year-old to languish on the bench.

Araujo joined Barça from the LA Galaxy in February though he spent the remainder of the 2022-23 season training with the club’s second division side FC Barcelona Athletic under El Tri legend Rafael Márquez. The reason for that was FIFA prohibited his registration with the Catalan club since the transaction came just after the Jan. 31 deadline.

This summer, it was apparent that the Spanish giants planned to farm Araujo out to another club to earn some playing time. Las Palmas was the initial choice, but then came word that FC Porto wanted a chance to make a loan deal. Araujo voiced preference to join the Portuguese club but terms could not be agreed to and the El Tri newcomer – he debuted with Team Mexico – will call the Canary Islands home for the upcoming season.

Another El Tri right back on the block?

Edson Álvarez’s Ajax and Mexico teammate, Jorge Sánchez, might have to learn Portuguese.

Sánchez has been the target of heavy criticism during his lone season in the Netherlands. The Santos Laguna product played in 17 games for Ajax – even scoring twice – but failed to convince ownership of his worth.

Last month, the Coahuila native was the starter at right back for El Tri throughout the Gold Cup although many pundits believe Araujo will win the job by the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around.

Now comes word that Ajax is considering an offer from Brazil’s Botafogo. However, South American side is hoping to get Sánchez – an Olympic bronze medalist with El Tri in 2021 – at a discount. If it’s true that Ajax is eager to dump Sánchez, the Dutch club might be willing to accept a lower fee. We shall have to wait and see.