Mexican left-back Miguel Layun has been given a lifeline ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
The defender is set to join Sevilla on loan from Porto, the La Liga club announced on Monday, subject to a medical. Layun is one of the few full-backs that Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio has used regularly, but his playing time at Porto has declined. With Alex Telles and Ricardo Pereira occupying the left and right-back positions, Layun has only played 303 league minutes this season.
However, Porto were reportedly not keen on selling the player but have now agreed to a deal that will send the 29-year-old to La Liga for the remainder of the club’s season, with Las Sevillistas also retaining an option to buy.
“Sevilla FC and FC Porto have reached an agreement for the loan – with option to buy – of Miguel Layun (Cordoba, June 25, 1988, Mexico), subject to the Mexican full-back passing the medical examination this Tuesday when the player arrives in Seville,” a club statement said.
Layun joins Sevilla, where Sergio Escudero normally plays at left-back but the right-back position is uncertain. Layun has experience at both sides at club level and will not be too worried about his position as long as he gets playing time.
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Layun played more minutes with Mexico at the 2017 Confederations Cup alone than he did with Porto in 2017-18, and the Veracruz native is a key part of the national team. He has played at left-back, right-back and in midfield for El Tri, but is expected to start at left-back – or left wing-back if Osorio opts for a back three. Although Layun is a sure-fire starter for Mexico, Osorio and the Mexican team were concerned about his lack of playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Russia. Now, they hope, he can find a rhythm, play regularly against top opponents and be ready for the summer tournament.
