Cruz Azul Targeting Elite La Liga Defender | OneFootball

La Máquina are looking to bolster their defensive options by signing Atlético Madrid’s José Giménez during the upcoming summer window.

The Uruguayan defender is expected to leave the storied Madrid club after 13 years.

Since joining in 2013 from Danubio, in his native Uruguay, Giménez has represented Los Rojiblancos 267 times. In thirteen seasons, he has won two La Liga titles and finished as a UEFA Champions League runner-up twice.

His contract runs through the end of the 2028 season, but the 31 year-old Giménez has started to fall down the pecking order under Diego Simeone. This season he’s featured in only half the team’s matches (15 of 30 league, 6 of 13 Champions League).

This summer is shaping up to be one of major change for the Madrid club. Antoine Griezmann recently announced that he will be moving to Orlando City over the summer. Persistant rumors whisper that ‘Cholo’ Simeone is also expected to have an emotional exit.

Giménez to Cruz Azul?

A player of Giménez’s pedigree will undoubtedly attract interest from around the world, including major clubs within Europe. However, it is said that Cruz Azul is particularly interested in his services.

But this is not the first time he’s been linked with a Liga MX move. Last summer, rumors connected the defender with a transfer to Tigres. This would have reunited him with former teammate Ángel Correa, but a move failed to materialize.

Moving to Cruz Azul would underline the club’s ambition to strengthen across the squad, following the winter signings of Nicolás Ibáñez and Agustín Palavecino.

If La Máquina can convince the Champions League defender to make the move, a significant financial package will likely be required. Though tempting to look at comparable transfers such as Ángel Correa to ‘El Volcán’ ($9M+) or Sergio Canales to Monterrey ($12.5M+), a Giménez move would probably be more affordable. Defenders tend to command lower transfer fees.