Gallos Blancos involved in three deals ahead of internal transfer deadline
Jumping from one Liga MX team to another
The final day for internal transfers proved to be a busy day for a few Liga MX teams as four players switched jerseys in the final hours before the window slammed shut.
A few projected deals did not go through, however (UNAM’s Juan Ignacio Dinenno to Cruz Azul was a popular one), but teams still have until Sept. 13 to fill out their rosters with player from other leagues.
Tenth-place Querétaro was involved in three of the moves as the Gallos Blancos attempt to return to the Liga MX playoffs after missing out the past four seasons. Querétaro last qualified for the postseason back in the Clausura 2021 season but were crushed 5-0 in the wildcard round by Santos Laguna.
On Tuesday, the “White Roosters” sold their leading scorer, striker Ángel Sepúlveda, to Cruz Azul for $2.7 million dollars. The move ends Sepúlveda’s third stint with Querétaro (January 2014-June 2017, January 2020-February 2021, and January 2022-August 2023).
“El Cuate” has scored three goals for the Gallos this season to lead the team and found the net 16 times since returning to the club last year. He will now compete Diber Cambindo for Cruz Azul’s starting forward spot though the Cementeros will continue to hunt for a striker to ignite the club’s anemic offense. Sepúlveda leaves Querétaro fans with this image, the game-winning goal in the club’s 1-0 win over Necaxa on Sunday.
Querétaro also sent 21-year-old midfielder Rodrigo López to UNAM. López appeared as a sub in three of the team’s four games this season and he’ll now return to his boyhood club. López failed to reach the senior team with the Pumas before they released him in 2019, finally making his Liga MX debut with the Gallos in the Apertura 2022 season.
Finally, the Gallos brought in winger Mauro Lainez from América. The elusive winger failed to secure a spot with the Aguilas despite showing some promise during a productive loan spell with “Los Azulcremas” back in the Apertura 2021 season.
The Liga MX giants then purchased his contract in January 2022 but promptly sent him out on loan to FC Juárez where he toiled for two seasons. However, the fleet winger has been inactive since January of this year and will hope for a fresh start with Querétaro.
UNAM adds to its front line
The Pumas are rushing to finalize a loan deal for forward Christian Tabó who has spent the past three seasons with Cruz Azul.
The Uruguayan playmaker never fit in with the Cementeros and was relegated to being a late-game sub. Tabó came to “La Máquina” in January 2022 after a successful six-season run with Puebla but managed only 4 goals with Cruz Azul.
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Tabó first arrived in Liga MX with Atlas back in 2015, but was promptly loaned out to Uruguay’s Nacional for a year. The now-29-year-old winger made his Liga MX debut in the Apertura 2016 season and now he hopes to make an impression with UNAM.