TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Report
The San Jose Earthquakes are close to signing attacking midfielder Javier Eduardo "Chofis" Lopez on a one-year loan from Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara, according to an ESPN report from Jesus Bernal.
The report notes that talks are progressing and Chivas officials hope to soon wrap up negotiations, potentially reuniting Lopez with head coach Matias Almeyda. Before coming to San Jose, Almeyda most notably won the 2018 Concacaf Champions League with a Chivas squad that included Lopez.
If Lopez comes to San Jose, he could fill the No. 10 role after Magnus Eriksson was transferred to Swedish club Djurgardens IF this past August. The Earthquakes still made the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, though could use a boost at that position.
Lopez, 26, turned pro with Chivas in 2013. He has 21 goals and 12 assists in 185 games, though was suspended from the squad this past November following an allegation of sexual abuse made against teammate Dieter Villalpando at a party also attended by Lopez and three other teammates.
Almeyda has relied upon other former Chivas players while San Jose manager, landing center back Oswaldo Alanis and midfielder/forward Carlos Fierro. The familiarity has served them well, particularly in the man-marking and pressing system Almeyda prefers.
