Toluca looking to deny Chivas in race for Orbelín Pineda's signature | OneFootball

The hopes of Chivas landing Orbelín Pineda have been hit by news that Toluca are also vying for the services of the Celta Vigo midfielder.

While the 26-year-old is understood to want to remain in Europe, Chivas had hoped to tempt him back to the Estadio Akron where he starred between 2016 and 2018.

Pineda has struggled to establish himself at Celta since joining from Cruz Azul in January, and is now looking for a club that will offer him the opportunity to play regularly in the run up to the World Cup in Qatar.

Chivas looked likely to be his next destination, but Toluca manager Ignacio Ambríz is hoping his personal connection with the player will bear fruit.

The 57-year-old gave Pineda his senior debut at Querétaro.

“I know him personally. It is true that I personally spoke with him because I have a good relationship with him,” Ambriz told Fox Sports.

“Later I told him that if there was a possibility of returning to Mexico, that here in Toluca there was a possibility of being able to do it bring and then the rest was handled by the board.

“Today, I can’t say more about Orbelín because I don’t know anything. I don’t know what will happen to him.”

Both clubs will be hoping to get a deal with the player over the line ahead of the start of the 2022 Apertura season next weekend.