Club América Wraps Up an Ambitious Transfer Window | OneFootball

Just a few weeks ago, Club América was getting hammered, and even mocked, by Mexican soccer fans over their lack of signings to start the Apertura 2026.

The Águilas went through the first three games of the tournament without making a single addition. Patience among the fanbase was wearing thin, and the pressure on the front office continued to grow, especially after América’s previous season ended with a quarterfinal elimination against Pumas.

That loss also triggered the departure of André Jardine, the historic Brazilian manager who led América to a record-breaking three-peat. With the front office under pressure, Guillermo Almada was brought in to replace Jardine. Just a few weeks later, the entire picture has changed.

With Matchday 8 against Cruz Azul just days away, América has already wrapped up six signings and gone from one of the most heavily criticized teams in the transfer window to, at least on paper, one of the biggest favorites to win the Liga MX title.

And here’s the most interesting part: only two of those six new signings have actually made their América debuts.

América’s Six Signings

Óscar Perea — 6/10

The Colombian arrived from French side Strasbourg and made an immediate impact, scoring on his América debut.

He also scored during the Leagues Cup and currently has eight appearances and two goals for the Águilas.

However, his impact has faded in recent games. Perea is still young and has plenty of room to develop, and Almada’s coaching staff will be expecting much more from him as he continues adapting to Mexican soccer and the team’s system.

Transfer grade: 6/10

Edwin Cerrillo — 7/10

Cerrillo joined América from LA Galaxy to compete for a spot in the midfield.

The Mexican-American midfielder plays as a defensive midfielder and was brought in to add competition and depth to an area where América needed more options.

He has made just four appearances for the club between Liga MX and the Leagues Cup, so it’s still too early to make a definitive judgment on his performance.

He hasn’t exactly blown anyone away yet, but he also hasn’t had enough time to become a regular under Almada.

Transfer grade: 7/10

Miguel Borja — 7/10

The 33-year-old Colombian striker arrived from Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates to strengthen América’s attack.

Borja will compete directly with Henry Martín for the starting No. 9 role and represents a significant gamble for a team that needs goals.

The biggest question is where Borja is in his career. He’s entering the latter stages of his playing days, and América will have to find out whether he still has enough left in the tank to be a difference-maker in Liga MX.

He has yet to make his debut, so time will ultimately determine whether América got this one right.

Transfer grade: 7/10

Carlos Álvarez — 9/10

The gem. The bombshell of América’s transfer window.

Carlos Álvarez arrived from Levante for around $6 million, a particularly attractive price considering his valuation was reportedly close to $25 million just a year ago.

Injuries have slowed his development, and that’s the biggest risk attached to the deal. If América can keep him healthy and get him back into rhythm, he could become one of the most important players on the roster.

The comparison with Álvaro Fidalgo is impossible to avoid: a player who arrives without being an established star and could find the perfect environment at América to take his game to another level.

Now comes the real question: is Álvarez physically ready to live up to the hype?

Transfer grade: 9/10

Santiago Ramos Mingo — 8/10

América is set to pay around $10 million to Brazilian side Bahia for the Argentine center back.

Ramos Mingo, 24, still has to complete the final steps of his move, including his medical exam and signing a four-year contract.

His development began at Boca Juniors before he moved to Spain, where he spent time with Barcelona’s reserve team. He later continued his career in Belgium.

It’s a significant move for América as the club looks to add depth and competition to a defense that needed reinforcements.

Transfer grade: 8/10

Santiago Bueno — 8/10

The other center back heading to Coapa is Santiago Bueno, who is set to arrive from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Uruguayan is coming off what has arguably been his best season since moving to England. He made 33 appearances, scored four goals and was voted Wolves’ 2025-26 Player of the Season by the club’s supporters, receiving 34% of the vote.

Bueno came through the Peñarol academy and quickly caught the attention of European clubs. After winning the 2017 South American U-20 Championship with Uruguay, Barcelona made a move for him while he was still considered a promising young player.

Now América wants to turn him into an important piece of its defense.

Transfer grade: 8/10

One More Move?

The transfer window isn’t over for América just yet.

Iván Tona, the Xolos midfielder who had already agreed to join the Águilas, will ultimately remain in Tijuana. That has forced América to accelerate its search for a foreign defensive midfielder.

The club currently has five foreign players registered: Cristian Borja, Óscar Perea, Raphael Veiga, Brian Rodríguez and Miguel Borja.

Carlos Álvarez, Santiago Ramos Mingo and Santiago Bueno are still waiting to be registered.

Meanwhile, Ícaro is expected to move down to the U-21 team, leaving América with one final roster spot available.

So the big question is what the club does with it.

Will América finally land the foreign defensive midfielder? And will there be room for Víctor Dávila?

One thing is already clear: José Raúl ‘Pantera’ Zúñiga is no longer registered and will be forced to spend the next six months without playing.

A few weeks ago, América was getting roasted for doing nothing in the transfer market.

Now, the club has six reinforcements, a new manager, significantly more depth and the feeling that the Águilas are once again dressing like title contenders.

The transfer window started with doubts. América is about to finish it with a roster that, at least on paper, looks scary.

We also recommend: https://hooligan-soccer.com/mexicos-history-making-ballon-dor-nominations/