Cruz Azul’s pursuit of Luka Jovic takes dramatic turn with surprise roster move

The saga continues. After nearly two months of on-again, off-again negotiations, Cruz Azul is making a fresh push to land Serbian striker Luka Jovic — and signs are pointing to real momentum this time.

According to the latest reports, the Liga MX club has submitted a new offer for the former Real Madrid and AC Milan forward, with the intention of bringing him to Mexico and making him the face of their attack. It’s been a rocky road, filled with twists, setbacks, and rival interest, but Jovic’s next destination is still undecided — and Cruz Azul is very much in the mix.

Last-minute roster change sparks fresh hope

Fans were initially deflated when Cruz Azul released their squad list for the upcoming Leagues Cup, and both Giorgos Giakoumakis and Gabriel “El Toro” Fernández were included — casting doubt on any imminent Jovic arrival. But just hours later, optimism returned.

In a late Monday update, the club removed Fernández from the official roster without explanation, fueling speculation that a major signing could be imminent. The surprise omission came just as transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported that Cruz Azul had tabled a formal offer for Jovic.

Romano: Cruz Azul the only Mexican club in the running

On Tuesday, Romano posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Luka Jovic has received a formal proposal from Cruz Azul and it’s the only one he’s considering from Mexican sides at this stage. Decision not made yet as he’s considering all factors including his family.”

The news quickly reignited fan excitement, and Fernández’s sudden exclusion from the Leagues Cup squad only added fuel to the fire. The club also quietly deleted their original roster announcement from social media, replacing it with an updated version that left the Uruguayan striker out entirely.

What salary have Cruz Azul offered Jovic?

While official figures haven’t been released, sources suggest Cruz Azul’s latest offer could exceed $5 million per year — a sizable increase from the initial proposal. That still trails the rumored $7 million annual salary Jovic was offered by clubs in the UAE, but Cruz Azul is banking on the appeal of regular playing time, a starring role, and the chance to reboot his career in Liga MX.

For now, nothing is final. But with renewed talks, a reshuffled roster, and one of Europe’s most intriguing free agents on the radar, Cruz Azul fans have reason to believe this transfer drama could finally be heading toward a blockbuster ending.