From ex-Milan forward to ex-Inter forward: Cruz Azul’s transfer near miss
Cruz Azul’s summer attempts to add to their striking options saw the Liga MX giants come close to pulling off a major transfer coup.
Last summer’s transfer window left Cruz Azul with a bitter taste. After weeks of negotiations and a concerted push to sign Croatian striker Luka Jovic, the deal collapsed in the final days of the window. Just when it seemed AC Milan’s former Real Madrid forward was set to don the iconic sky-blue jersey, Jovic stunned the club by opting to continue his career in Greece - leaving La Máquina without the marquee signing they had been banking on.
Cruz Azul’s front office had gone all-in on Jovic, confident that his European pedigree would be a game-changer for the team’s attack. But his last-minute rejection came at the worst possible time. With the season already underway and viable options dwindling, the club was forced to scramble for emergency alternatives.
Close to a historic Liga MX coup
Sources close to the organization told W Deportes that one unexpected name surfaced during those frantic final days: Mauro Icardi. The former Inter Milan striker, currently with Galatasaray, had just returned from a serious ligament injury that sidelined him for over nine months. Despite that, both his camp and the Turkish club were open to a swift exit before the transfer deadline.
The proposal landed at Cruz Azul’s La Noria headquarters on September 9 - just three days before Mexico’s transfer window closed on the 12th. Financially, the club was prepared to meet Galatasaray’s asking price of around $11 million. But time proved to be the ultimate obstacle. With administrative and logistical hurdles looming, the deal simply couldn’t be finalized in time.
Had it gone through, Icardi would have been one of the most high-profile signings in recent Liga MX history. But the delay caused by the Jovic negotiations left Cruz Azul unable to pivot quickly enough, and Icardi remained in Turkey, where he continues to shine as one of Galatasaray’s standout performers.
Now, Cruz Azul is taking stock of what went wrong and planning ahead for the next transfer window, determined not to repeat the missteps that cost them a star striker. Fortunately for the club, forwards Gabriel “Toro” Fernández and Ángel “Cuate” Sepúlveda have stepped up, delivering a strong campaign and helping to ease the sting of what might have been.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment