Market values Liga MX: Pineda, Moreno on the up - Pizarro drops
With the Liga MX Apertura's conclusion, Transfermarkt has updated the market values of several prominent players in Mexico's top-flight. The season concluded with Club León, who already dominated the regular season, winning the Guardianes 3-1 on aggregate over UNAM Pumas.
At the very top remains José Macías. The 21-year-old striker remains the biggest talent in the league and has often been linked with a transfer to Europe. But thus far, a deal has failed to materialize with European clubs increasingly looking north of the border to MLS to mine the best talent. A fact that has left Macías increasingly frustrated.
Nonetheless, a transfer could soon materialize. The striker, however, will not be the only one to have caught the eye of European clubs. One of the most promising players in the just concluded Apertura was Yairo Moreno. The 25-year-old saw his market value grow to $9.35 million. "At León, Moreno benefitted from being moved from the left-wing back to left-back," Liga MX market value admin Klinsfrau said. "Playing that position, he was one of the most promising players throughout the regular season." Despite missing parts of the playoffs, the Colombian is in high demand at Portuguese top clubs Porto and Benfica.
Making the jump into the top three is Jonathan Rodríguez. The Cruz Azul striker saw his market value grow to $8.25 million. He joins a group that already includes Carlos Rodríguez, Brian Lozano, and Roberto Alvarado.
Pineda, Vásquez & Co.: Young talents on the rise
Young Liga MX talents like Oberlín Pineda, Johan Vásquez, and Érick Aguirre saw a substantial increase in their market value. Pineda saw his market value grow from $5.28 million to now $7.7 million. Pineda had an excellent season for Cruz Azul, starting playing in all 19 games across all competitions in which he scored two goals and three assists.
Another promising young star is Johan Vásquez. The Pumas center-back saw his market value increase to $5.5 million. "The 22-year-old featured in every game since making the move to Pumas last January," Klinsfrau said. "The left-footed defender was important in constructing the game from the back and stood out in man-vs-man situations. He was a major part in Pumas run to the final."
Among the big winners was also Pachuca winger Aguirre. The 23-year-old saw his market value grow to $6.6 million. "He is a flexible defender, who has already played 158 league games for Pachuca and Morelia," Klinsfrau said. "Playing as a left-back during this last half-season, he made a big step forward in his development."
Meza, Pizarro drop - Monterrey-based teams struggled
Not everyone is a winner, however. Among the players that saw their market value decrease was Tigres UANL midfielder Guido Pizarro, down to $5.5 million, and Monterrey Maximiliano Meza, down to $6.6 million. Meza's drop, in particular, has been dramatic. Two years ago, the Argentine joined Rayados with a market value of $15.4 million, which made him the most valuable player in the league. But Meza has been moving back and forward between being a starter and bench player and, as a result, once again dropped in value.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Sep 22, 1999 (24)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Deportivo Guadalajara
- Contract until:
- -
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €2.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Apr 4, 1995 (29)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Independiente Medellín
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2024
- Position:
- Left-Back
- Market Value:
- €1.80m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Mar 24, 1996 (28)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- AEK Athens
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Central Midfield
- Market Value:
- €6.50m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 23, 1997 (27)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- CF Monterrey
- Contract until:
- -
- Position:
- Right-Back
- Market Value:
- €3.50m