LIGA MX
Cruz Azul hoping to repatriate former América player
La Máquina have placed an offer for full-back Jorge Sánchez, a Mexico international who would return after two seasons in Europe.
Jorge Sánchez left América through the back door. Fans remember him for his failed clearance during the Apertura 2019 final - a mistake which led to Funes Mori levelling the aggregate score which ultimately cost the Águilas the title. The club tried to find an outlet for the defender in Europe. Ajax bought him on a four-year deal but he only lasted one season in Amsterdam after being unable to hold down a regular place in the side.
Last August, he was loaned out to Porto, although it was a similar story there - he has barely had any playing time, making just five starts in a total of 13 appearances across all competitions. Now, according to information from ESPN’s León Lecanda, Jorge has an opportunity to return to the Liga MX as Cruz Azul are prepared to repatriate him.
The Mexican club would be willing to pay Ajax a fee of around $4 million for the player, and would also need to pay a compensation fee to the player, his representative and Porto for breaking the loan contract which runs until 30 June 2024.
Ninth player to be repatriated by Cruz Azul
If a deal is reached for Sánchez, he will become the ninth Mexican player to have been brought back to the Liga MX by the Cementeros from Europe. The players who the club previously repatriated include: Luis Flores (Valencia), Héctor Altamirano (Cremonese), Francisco Palencia (Espanyol ), Sergio Almaguer (Galatasaray), Gerardo Torrado (Racing), Pablo Barrera (Zaragoza), Iñaki Domínguez (Real Oviedo) and Carlos Peña (Rangers).
Sánchez is under contract at Ajax until 30 June 2026. Porto have the option to buy him for $4.3 million when the loan expires this summer.