Lainez to Ajax? Lozano would welcome Mexico team-mate to Europe

PSV star Hirving Lozano would welcome Mexico team-mate Diego Lainez with open arms if the youngster were to make the move to Europe this January amid ongoing speculation that Ajax are keen to sign the America winger.

Lozano rose to prominence at a young age in the Mexican game before making the move to PSV in 2017, where has since developed into a key figure.

The 18-year-old Lainez, meanwhile, is regarded as perhaps an even bigger prospect than Lozano was in his younger years and recently capped a fine season with the Liga MX Apertura title.

His fine form has earned him the interest of a number of European sides, with Ajax believed to be among his biggest admirers.

Reports from both Netherlands and Mexico have suggested the Eredivisie giants are willing to pay up to €12 million (£10.5m/$13.5m) for the winger and even though Lozano has not seen his compatriot play too often, he would be happy to see him make the move to Europe. 

"Honestly, I’ve seen him a little. I haven’t seen him play that much," Lozano told Goal.

"For me, he’s a good player. He’s young, but he has a lot of qualities.

"I don’t know if he’s ready or not. I don’t know what he’s like as a person. I don’t know him well.

"But, hopefully he can arrive here soon."

Lainez would not be the first Mexican to join Lozano in Netherlands if the move were to materialise, with Erick Gutierrez joining his friend in Eindhoven earlier this season.

Gutierrez has yet to become as important to the team as Lozano, but the attacker has little doubt his compatriot will soon make more of an impact.

"With the transfer of Erick, I played a small role in it because they asked me about him, I was paying attention to whether they signed him or not, so the only thing I could do is to convince them a bit more to sign him and tell him good things about being here," the 23-year-old added.

"I think that’s why he came here.

"I think he’s had some minutes, but little by little he’ll have more. He’s going to show more of the skill he has, so I’m convinced that he can play as a starter and hopefully the manager decides. He’s the one that decides, so he’s the one in charge."