Guillermo Ochoa had a remarkable start to his career in the Serie A with Salernitana after leaving Club América on a free transfer last January. He was the Italian club’s first player of the month in 2023.
However, after Salernitana’s previous starting goalkeeper Luigi Pepe came back from injury, the Mexican hasn’t seen much of the pitch.
After starting in six straight games and was arguably Salernitana’s best player on the pitch, the goalkeeper has been relegated to the bench for two games in a row and is expected to be a substitute again in their game against Monza on Sunday.
While there’s no exact reason for his substitution other than the coaching staff’s respect in hierarchy for Pepe, fans are starting to believe that if Ochoa remains as a substitute, the club might want to work themselves around the clause in Ochoa’s six-month contract (which reportedly has an option to extend).
Whatever the case may be, Ochoa might be looking switch clubs in the summer and clubs are reportedly already knocking on the door for his services.
Guillermo Ochoa linked to Inter and AC Milan for second goalkeeper position
Ochoa is only two months into his career in the calcio italiano and he’s already being linked to the big move he’s always waited for. Though, not exactly in the terms he would’ve imagined.
According to Tutto Salernitana, the Mexican goalkeeper has become an option for both AC Milan and Inter to take their back-up goalkeeping position for the 2023-24 season. The report went as far as to say that Milan has already contacted and offered a 1-year contract.
Inter would see him as the replacement for Samir Handanovic and as the back-up for André Onana (26), while Milan would take him in as second to Mike Maigan (27) or even third to recently signed Colombian goalkeeper Devis Vásquez (24).
Ochoa would be a free agent in the summer if he doesn’t renew with Salernitana, facilitating his transfer to any club interested.
Would this be a good move for Guillermo Ochoa?
We don’t think so, but it depends.
Memo Ochoa has showed — in the 2022 World Cup and in the Serie A — that he’s still got it. He debuted with nine saves against AC Milan and is having, up until now, an average of 4.7 saves made per game.
Being 37 (almost 38) and getting to become part of some of the biggest clubs in the world sounds like a tempting way to close out your career. However, the legendary international goalkeeper wants to become the first keeper (and potentially first-ever player) to participate in six World Cups in Mexico's co-hosting of the 2026 edition. Being a substitute for Milan or Inter? Probably not the best way to get there
We would like to see Memo stay in Europe but in a club where he's not getting shot at every five minutes. Considering his performances this season, we hope there are clubs outside of Milan interested in him. But if there's no tempting offers to stay in Europe besides Milan or Inter as a back-up goalkeeper for a year or so, we say go for it.