Which players could leave América after Liga MX Clausura 2024 - or before then?

Thanks in no small part to the depth of their squad, Club América won the Apertura 2023 late last year - and are now in contention to lift a second straight Liga MX title. What’s more, Las Águilas are firmly in the hunt to clinch the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Winners of their 14th domestic championship in the Apertura 2023, André Jardine’s side sit second in the Clausura 2024′s regular-season standings, and are 3-0 up on arch rivals Chivas Guadalajara after the first leg of the teams’ Champions Cup last-16 tie.

Raft of América players to leave?

However, as América chase both domestic and continental silverware success in the first half of 2024, they know that a potential player exodus is looming. Over the coming months, the club could lose as many as seven members of the roster that began their successful Apertura 2023 campaign.

That’s on top of the two who have already left: veteran defender Miguel Layún retired from playing after América’s Liga MX victory in December, and Leonardo Suárez opted to join Pumas in January, in search of more regular game time.

‘Cabecita’ set for MLS

Forward Jonathan ‘Cabecita’ Rodríguez is in line to become the third Apertura 2023 winner to depart. The Uruguayan is believed to have a deal in place to join MLS franchise Portland Timbers in the coming weeks.

América trio off to European soccer?

Another player attracting overseas interest is defender Sebastián Cáceres, who has a host of suitors in European soccer, chiefly in Italy’s Serie A. He’s out of contract in December, but could well leave before then, particularly as he will be in the shop window with Uruguay at this summer’s Copa América.

Brian Rodríguez and Álvaro Fidalgo are also potential targets for clubs in Europe, having both been the subject of offers from the Old Continent this winter.

Rodríguez came close to joining Italians Fiorentina, only for the deal to fall through; however, like Uruguay team-mate Cáceres, the Copa América is shaping up as an opportunity for the winger to earn a move.

Fidalgo caught the eye of clubs in Russia and his native Spain in January. The midfielder, a youth product of LaLiga giants Real Madrid, acknowledged publicly that he had offers on the table, but opted to stay at América and battle for a second successive league crown. If an enticing offer comes in over the summer, however, it’s very possible he will depart.

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Martín, Lichnovsky, Fuentes...

Meanwhile, a number of América players are set to see their América deals expire at the end of the Clausura 2024. Talks with prolific striker Henry Martín have so far failed to yield an extension to an agreement that runs out on 30 June - and several clubs are keeping a close eye on the 31-year-old’s contract situation. They include Mexican rivals Monterrey, and teams in MLS.

Given that his registration does not belong to América, Igor Lichnosvky is also in the frame to move on this summer. The Chilean defender joined on loan from Tigres in September, before a six-month extension was agreed ahead of the Clausura 2024.

Finally, left-back Luis Fuentes was a mainstay in Jardine’s América team in the Apertura 2023, but has now fallen out of favour in the wake of Cristian ‘Chicote’ Calderón’s arrival from Chivas. Like Martín, the 37-year-old is out of contract in June and could well leave the Estadio Azteca, after four years at the club.