Liga MX: Diego Lainez to Ajax seems all but complete
A formal offer has been reported for the rising America and El Tri star. What does this mean for the player and the Liga MX club he leaves behind?
After lifting the Liga MX Apertura trophy, Diego Lainez looks like he’ll take the next step in his career with a move to Europe. The midfielder is just 18 years of age and looks to have immense potential still to be pulled out of him. Now, in an interview with ESPN Radio Formula, America sporting president, Santiago Banos, confirmed the move away, adding, “”It’s almost sure that it comes out. We do not want to close the doors and go to compete in international leagues.”
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So what happens now for America? Having just won their 13th Liga MX title, America has a talented roster even without the young Mexican. In fact, he hadn’t even been a consistent starter for the club during the season, though he did start in both legs of the gran final.
However, fans and pundits, alike, noted the level of technical and creative ability he brought to America when he was on the pitch. Other than Renato Ibarra and to some extent, Mateus Uribe, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of that in the America roster. Presumably, Andres Ibarguen would regain the starting spot he had early in the year if no other players are brought in, though Miguel-Herrera-favorite Cecilio Dominguez might be the more likely replacement. Las Aguilas are set up well to maintain form despite the loss of Lainez, though it appeared he was ready to push this team forward and make them favorites for the Clausura 2019 title, as well.
For Lainez, this represents a big step in his career. If indeed Ajax is the club he ends up with, he’ll be going to a club that is renowned for its ability to develop players before they are sold to some of the European giants like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or Real Madrid. Lainez should have every opportunity to get stronger, hone his technical skills and progress as a player much like Chucky Lozano has at PSV Eindhoven.
Americanistas will certainly be sad to see him go before he really fully arrived in Liga MX. The flashes of potential became stretches of brilliance for club and country over the past four months and now, before his true breakout, he looks to be on the move. Even so, we’ll enjoy watching him in Europe knowing he was developed at Club America, much like Raul Jimenez is loved as he plays for Wolverhampton in the English Premier League, as well as Benfica and Atletico Madrid, before that.
The money the club receives from his transfer should bolster the “war-chest” America already has to go out and buy more players or to put back into their academies for the discovery and fostering of the next Diego Lainez. Either way, America will have slightly different feel knowing that the energetic 18-year-old isn’t available to start of sub for Las Aguilas (assuming he doesn’t stay on in some sort of loan situation).
We wish him the best of luck in Europe and hope he’ll go on to an amazing career. He played a major role in America’s 13th title and will be forever linked to the club as a wonder-kid and champion.