América on Verge of Landing Miguel Borja as New No. 9
Club América Close to Signing Striker Miguel Borja: What You Need to Know
The Big News in Simple Terms
Imagine your favorite soccer team is doing really well, but the coach thinks, "We could use one more great goal scorer." That’s exactly what’s happening with Club América right now! They’re very close to signing Miguel Borja, a 33-year-old striker from Colombia who currently plays in the United Arab Emirates.
IMPORTANT POINT: This isn’t just a rumor — trusted journalist César Luis Merlo says both clubs are in the final stages of negotiations. If everything goes through, Borja will sign a long-term contract with América.
Why Does América Need a New Striker?
Current Striker Situation
América is currently leading the Liga MX Apertura 2026 (that’s the Mexican league), but coach Guillermo Almada has been honest about one weak spot: the center-forward position.
Here’s who they have right now:
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Martín | Starter | Club legend & top scorer, but missed most of 2025 due to injuries |
| Patricio Salas | Backup | Still developing |
| Alejandro "Coco" Cárdenas | Backup | Young, still learning |
| José Raúl "Pantera" Zúñiga | Not in plans | Completely removed from Almada’s plans |
The problem: If Henry Martín gets hurt again (which happened a lot in 2025), there’s no proven goal scorer to step in.
Who Is Miguel Borja?
Think of Borja as an experienced goal-scoring machine who’s played all over South America. Now he’s ready for his first adventure in Mexican soccer.
His Recent Numbers (with Al Wasl in UAE)
- 16 matches played
- 8 goals scored
- 984 minutes on the field
That’s a goal every 123 minutes — very impressive!
What He Brings to América
EXPERIENCE — Veteran striker with years in top South American leagues
PHYSICAL PRESENCE — Classic "Number 9" profile (big, strong, holds up the ball, finishes chances)
IMMEDIATE IMPACT — His scoring rate suggests he can help right away, no adjustment period needed
The Twist: He Almost Joined América’s Rival!
Here’s the juicy part: Borja was days away from signing with Cruz Azul (América’s big rival) for the Clausura 2026 tournament.
What happened?
- Borja and his family had already moved to Mexico City temporarily
- Cruz Azul couldn’t free up a foreign player slot (league rules limit how many non-Mexican players a team can have)
- The deal fell through at the last minute
- América jumped on the opportunity immediately
What Happens Next? (Step by Step)
- Finalize paperwork between América and Al Wasl
- Medical exams for Borja in Mexico City
- Contract signing — long-term deal expected
- Official announcement from the club
- Registration with Liga MX before the deadline
- Debut! — Could be as early as the next match
Why This Matters for América Fans
Immediate Benefits
- Insurance policy for Henry Martín’s injury history
- Competition in training makes everyone better
- Different playing style — Borja is a classic target man, Martín is more mobile
- Leadership — veteran presence in a young attacking group
Big Picture
América isn’t just trying to win now — they’re building squad depth for a long season with multiple competitions (league, cups, maybe international tournaments).
Summary
| What’s Happening | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| América negotiating for Miguel Borja | Fills the #1 positional need: backup striker |
| Deal in final stages per reliable journalist | Very likely to happen soon |
| Borja: 33, Colombian, 8 goals in 16 games (UAE) | Proven scorer, ready to contribute immediately |
| Almost joined rival Cruz Azul | América snatched him up when that deal collapsed |
| First time in Mexican soccer | Fresh challenge, motivated player |
| América leads Liga MX Apertura 2026 | Adding strength to an already strong team |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is Miguel Borja too old at 33?
Not for a striker! Many top forwards play into their mid-30s (think Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luis Suárez). Borja’s game relies on positioning and finishing — skills that don’t fade quickly. Plus, he’s fit: 984 minutes in 16 games shows he’s playing regularly.
Will he start over Henry Martín?
Almost certainly not at first. Henry Martín is a club legend and the clear starter when healthy. Borja comes in as premium backup and competition — which makes Martín better too. If Martín gets injured (again), Borja is a much better option than what they had before.
What’s a "foreign player slot" and why did it block Cruz Azul?
Liga MX teams can only register a limited number of players who aren’t Mexican citizens (usually around 8-9). Cruz Azul had all their slots full and couldn’t move a foreign player out in time. América apparently has a slot available or a plan to create one.
How much will this cost América?
The article doesn’t specify the transfer fee, but since Al Wasl’s coach is André Jardine (former América coach!), the clubs have a good relationship. This might help make the deal smoother and potentially cheaper.
When could Borja make his debut?
If the deal closes this week and he passes his medical, he could be registered and available within days. Liga MX has registration windows, so timing matters — but América’s front office knows the deadlines.
Final Thought
América is leading the league and just added a proven goal scorer to fix their only obvious weakness. That’s how championship teams operate — they don’t wait for problems to happen, they solve them before they happen.
Whether you’re a die-hard Azulcrema fan or just getting into Liga MX, this is a signing worth watching. Borja’s experience, physicality, and nose for goal could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
Want to follow the story? Keep an eye on Club América’s official social media and trusted journalists like César Luis Merlo for the official announcement — it could drop any day now!