Erik Lira's future hangs on Balogun's move to Everton
Erik Lira's transfer to Monaco is pending, dependent on Monaco freeing up a non-EU spot by offloading Folarin Balogun to Everton.
The future of Erik Lira in Europe could be decided in the coming hours. The Mexican midfielder's move to Monaco is currently tied to ongoing negotiations between Everton and the French club regarding Folarin Balogun.
Everton has reportedly held a fresh round of talks with Monaco, as both sides continue to discuss personal terms for the United States international. The English side is pushing to finalize the deal for the striker.
Offloading Balogun is a crucial move for the Principality club, as they need to clear a non-EU player spot to officially register Erik Lira. Until that vacancy is available, the Mexican midfielder cannot travel to France to complete the transfer process.
Negotiations between Cruz Azul and Monaco are well-advanced, with an agreement reportedly set at 8 million euros fixed plus 3 million in variables. However, the move is entirely dependent on clearing the necessary roster spot. With the French transfer window nearing its close, Cruz Azul is closely monitoring every development between Monaco and Everton.