Report confirms Lalo Fernandez exit, says he underwent Tigres medical

Lalo Fernandez’s apparently impending transfer to Liga MX standouts Tigres looks to be even closer to completion, with Marca Claro Mexico reporting yesterday that the player had undergone medical and physical tests ahead of a move.

That move would need to be completed today, as it is the last day in which the transfer window is open in Mexico. It certainly explains the timing of the move for Tigres, although the timing is certainly interesting for Real Salt Lake, who are in the late stages of the MLS season.

Reports across non-official social media seemed to confirm the move, although no confirmation has yet been had from official sources.

With only six regular season matches on the table, and potentially more if a heroic playoff run is achieved, it would seem unlikely that Fernandez would be called upon with the season waning. It’s likely that RSL will bring in a new third-choice goalkeeper, with smart money on Real Monarchs’ Connor Sparrow.

Sparrow was drafted in 2016 by Real Salt Lake, and while he didn’t sign for the first team, he did sign with Real Monarchs. It’s unclear whether RSL would need to use one of their “USL Priority Player” spots (there are three for each MLS club) on Sparrow, given they likely hold his rights from his time in collegiate play. It’s also unclear whether the move would be as a free agent, given the U.S. transfer window has closed.

If that does take place, it would be the second signing of a USL player to Real Salt Lake in recent weeks, with Monarchs captain Nick Besler joining on Aug. 24.