Aguilas might be looking for a new goalie soon
Primeira Liga club Porto has made an offer for América netminder Agustín Marchesín and midfielder Mateus Uribe.
This week, América is preparing for more than Saturday’s game against Tijuana. The Aguilas are also preparing for life without the league’s best goalie, Agustín Marchesín, and midfield regular Mateus Uribe.
Last week, the rumors of Marchesín’s imminent departure were making the rounds, but América coach Miguel Herrera denied that his goalie was leaving. This reportedly infuriated “Marche” who uploaded then immediately removed three photos from his Instagram account. The photos featured him with the three trophies he helped the Aguilas win: the Apertura 2018 Liga MX title, last season’s Copa MX title and this month’s Champions Cup.
More from Viva Liga MX
- Guillermo Ochoa is out 4-6 weeks
- The Clásico Regiomontano is Heating Up
- Pumas: In Search of Regaining a Top Spot
- Why the United States Is Set to Overtake Mexico on the World Stage
- Erick Gutierrez is out once again
On Tuesday, Herrera went on ESPN Radio and confirmed that an offer had been submitted by Porto, though the team rejected the initial bid. Herrera also admitted that the club is preparing to replace “Marche” who was honored as the league’s best goalie at the Golden Ball Awards ceremony on July 13.
Portuguese powerhouse club Porto is looking for a replacement for Iker Casillas, 38, who suffered a heart attack at the beginning of training camp. Marchesín is eager for a move to Europe and is evidently not happy with how América management is handling the situation.
There are reports that former England goalie Joe Hart and German keeper Kevin Trapp are also getting looks from Porto, but the Portuguese club prefers Marchesín who was on Argentina’s roster for this summer’s Copa América though he did not get on the pitch.
Over the weekend, some media outlets reported that Cruz Azul coach Pedro Caixinha had recommended Marchesín to Porto, suggesting something a bit nefarious about the Portuguese coach urging the Dragons to whisk away his rival’s goalie. On Tuesday, Caixinha denied that he had spoken to Porto’s people, but it must be remembered that Caixinha brought Marchesín to the Liga MX back in 2015 when he was coaching Santos Laguna. They won the Clausura 2015 title together as well as the 2015 Liga MX Champions Cup.
Porto has submitted an 18 million-euro bid for “Marche” and Uribe. The inclusion of the Colombian midfielder is a bit of a surprise. Last season, Uribe lost some playing time to Edson Álvarez who left for Ajax this summer, but the Dragons are looking for a replacement for Mexico star Héctor Herrera, who left for Atlético Madrid.
Uribe did not enjoy a productive Clausura 2019 season, however. His shooting was off target and his 8 successful centering passes were a low among Liga MX midfielders. Despite this, several European clubs inquired about his availability early this summer and Uribe was on Colombia’s Copa América roster this summer.
Aguilas have additional roster issue
To make matters more difficult for América, Roger Martínez is pushing for an exit and Aguilas management is none too pleased. The 25-year-old forward was never happy about coming to Mexico from Spain, where he struggled to find playing time with Villarreal.
Martínez had a strong Copa América with Colombia and, recently, his father told Colombian media that Roger was being recruited by Sheffield United. Martínez has not been shy about talking about his desire to return to Europe, but América officials reported scolded the winger and told him to focus on Liga MX.
With all these rumors swirling around training camp, it would not be a surprise if the Aguilas were distracted ahead of their Matchday 3 tilt against the Xolos. Striker Nicolás Castillo dismissed those suggestions, telling reporters Monday that he and his teammates were completely focused on the task at hand.
It’s not as if coach Herrera would be left helpless. Last season, “El Piojo” presented debuts to three members of the team’s prolific academy (Iván Moreno, José Clemente and Fernando González) and Castillo is healthy after missing some time with a thigh strain.
The club also signed productive winger Renato Ibarra to a four-year contract extension.