Ochoa set to sign new Club América contract on reduced salary
According to ESPN, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is close to agreeing a two-year extension to his contract with Liga MX club América.
Guillermo Ochoa is reportedly close to signing a new contract at Club América, with an announcement expected in the next few days. Negotiations over an extension had stalled, but the indications are that Las Águilas and Ochoa’s camp are now at an advanced staged in talks over the goalkeeper’s future.
According to ESPN, América are hopeful of sealing Ochoa’s renewal this week. The 37-year-old’s current contract is due to expire at the end of December. The Mexico international, who played all three games in Qatar as El Tri exited the 2022 World Cup in the group stage, is reportedly seeking a two-year agreement. América are ready to hand him such a deal, ESPN says, but only on the condition that it includes performance-based clauses and a salary reduction.
Jiménez set to leave America if Ochoa renews
ESPN also reports that Óscar Jiménez, América’s second-choice goalkeeper, could leave if Ochoa renews. Jiménez is also out of contract at the end of 2022 and could depart in search of regular first-team football. Since joining the 13-time Mexican champions in 2017, he has never managed to establish himself as the team’s No. 1. Prior to Ochoa’s arrival, Jiménez was behind Agustín Marchesín in the pecking order.
América to open up against Necaxa in Copa Sky
Meanwhile, head coach Fernando Ortiz continues to prepare his team for the Clausura 2023 tournament, which begins in early January. After a preseason training camp in Cancún, the squad has returned to Mexico City for the Copa Sky. On Thursday, América will play their first game of the friendly tournament against Necaxa. They then face Toluca, Pumas and Cruz Azul.