AS Monaco manager Filipe Luís hopes the club continues to push to sign Erik Lira, even after it failed to bring in the midfielder this summer.
Everything was set for the Mexico international to join the Ligue 1 side this summer, but the move fell through on deadline day . The principality side expected to clear a non-EU slot on its roster with the sale of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun to Everton, only for that transfer to collapse .
The Brazilian boss has found success without Lira, beating reigning champion Paris-Saint Germain on Friday, Sept. 4 to move to the top of the table with three wins in three matches. But the scouting he did for a FIFA Intercontinental Cup match in December 2025 plus seeing how Lira has improved since makes him hope a move could go through in the winter.
"He has the level for Europe. In fact, if you watch the Flamengo-Cruz Azul match, I put an individual marker on him. I almost never do that, but I did because he's a very different player with the ball," the 41-year-old manager told a Mexican television reporter after the 2-1 win over PSG. "He makes the difference and makes the team play. Apart from that, he has leadership and passion. It couldn't come together, he couldn't come but I will continue pushing for him any window that is open.
"Of course," he continued when asked if he still wanted to see Lira join his team. "I always want great players on my side."
The 26-year-old Lira also can play center back and showed his grit and excellent defensive positioning with Cruz Azul in the last several seasons – lifting the Liga MX trophy and also the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup – but also had a World Cup with El Tri that put him on the radar of a number of top teams.
"He couldn't achieve his dream, but he's a different player, and I have no doubt he'll have other opportunities because he's the type of player who makes teams champions like Cruz Azul was," the Monaco manager said.
Lira now could move to a league where the transfer window remains open, though he has stated his dream is specifically to go to Europe. Cruz Azul returns to action Sunday, Sept. 6 with a home match against Santos Laguna.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AS Monaco manager Filipe Luis 'will continue pushing' for Mexico international Lira
