Monterrey Wants to Pay $15 Million to Columbus Crew for Cucho Hernández

When you hear about a $15 million offer for a soccer player, it sounds like the kind of deal that would make any team, especially in the MLS, stop and think. And we’re talking about Cucho Hernández here, one of Columbus Crew’s brightest stars. But the truth is, $15 million doesn’t buy what it used to.

Does Monterrey really think that amount’s gonna be enough to pry the Colombian away from Crew’s hands? Or are they underestimating just how much Cucho brings to the table, not just on the field but to the team’s brand and future? If you’ve been following Major League Soccer, you know the game’s changing, and that change isn’t just tactical, it’s financial too.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

Monterrey’s offer, even if it looks "big" on paper, is probably just the starting point for a long, twisty negotiation. Sure, $15 million might sound tempting, but is Columbus Crew really going to bite? Or are they planning a counterattack?

Cucho isn’t just any player. He represents a new era for Columbus Crew. Since the Colombian hit the American soccer scene, he’s been proving that the MLS isn’t just a "retirement league" for aging players but a place where young talents can shine. Cucho, with his aggressive style and nose for goals, has shown that he’s ready to become an international star.

Now, from Crew’s perspective, selling him for $15 million could certainly fill up the coffers and allow for some solid reinforcements. But what about the massive gap he’d leave in the attack? That’s the kind of situation that could hit the team’s morale hard, and let’s be real, the fans wouldn’t be too thrilled either. For the supporters, losing Cucho would feel like ripping the heart out of a team that’s been rebuilding strongly over the last few years. And if we’re talking about building a solid brand in the MLS, keeping players like him is key.

On the other hand, Monterrey is that club that’s always ready to pounce. Down in Mexico, Liga MX takes pride in being one of the toughest competitions in the Americas, and Rayados want to stay on top. Their focus isn’t just on winning the local league but on gaining international prestige. And for that, players like Cucho are the missing piece of their puzzle.

$15 million for Cucho Hernández? Sounds like a lot of money, right? But when you put it in today’s market context, maybe not so much. The reality is that soccer prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Just take a look at the recent transfers. Even average players in Europe are going for ridiculous amounts.

If we’re being honest, that figure would’ve been a solid deal... five or six years ago. But today, a promising striker like Cucho, who’s still on the rise, is worth way more. Columbus Crew has a gem on their hands, and letting him go for less than $20 million would honestly be a strategic blunder. The MLS isn’t a league where foreign clubs can just walk in and snatch up talent on the cheap anymore. The league’s grown, the international exposure’s expanded, and with that, the players’ value has gone up too.

Columbus knows this, and so does Monterrey. So it wouldn’t be a shocker if this $15 million offer gets turned down. What’s at stake here isn’t just a player’s transfer but a power play between two leagues vying for attention, fans, and, of course, cash. The MLS and Liga MX have had this quiet rivalry going on for a while. Each trying to prove they’re the dominant league in the Americas. And over the last few years, the MLS has been making some serious strides in that battle, pulling in big names, young talent, and establishing itself as a platform for growth.

For Cucho Hernández, the offer might seem tempting. After all, Monterrey is a giant in Mexico, with a passionate fan base and continental ambitions. But is this really the right move for his career? From a sporting perspective, he’s still got plenty to gain by staying in the MLS. The American league, with all its infrastructure and global visibility, could be the perfect springboard for an even bigger leap. On the flip side, the allure of playing in Liga MX, winning titles, and boosting his visibility in Latin America could be hard to resist.