Ligue 1 club’s Mexican connection could hold the key to Erik Lira’s future
After impressing for Mexico at the World Cup, Cruz Azul midfielder Lira could be on his way to the French top flight.
The summer transfer window continues to gather pace, and the move all of Mexico has been waiting for could be just around the corner. Erik Lira appears set to leave Liga MX, with a potential switch to French soccer firmly on the horizon.
According to reporting by TUDN journalist Gibran Araige, the Cruz Azul midfielder has attracted a serious suitor from abroad. AS Monaco is reportedly interested in bringing Lira to the Principality ahead of the new season.
Lira to emulate Márquez?
Araige reports that Monaco is already in advanced talks to secure Lira’s services. However, the Ligue 1 club is waiting for one of its non-EU roster spots to open up before moving forward with a deal for the Mexican international.
The club is currently awaiting the completion of a transfer involving Senegalese midfielder Lamine Camara, who could leave Monaco for Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Should the deal go through, Lira would become just the second Mexican player ever to represent AS Monaco, following in the footsteps of Rafael Márquez.
A potentially decisive factor
Beyond what he can offer on the field, Monaco has another significant reason for pursuing the Cruz Azul standout, and it centers on a key figure within the club’s front office.
Carlos Aviña, Monaco’s sporting director, is Mexican. Aviña previously worked at Club América and was among the executives responsible for bringing Federico Viñas to the Mexico City powerhouse. He spent five years with Las Águilas from 2015 to 2020.
After his stint in Liga MX, Aviña moved to Europe and joined Belgian side Cercle Brugge. Since 2023, he has served as Monaco’s sporting president, and he now appears poised to play a major role in the club’s pursuit of Lira.
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