5 Mexican and Central American Players Who Could Move to Europe This Summer

While the region is not quite as well-known as the football heartlands further south, containing the talent production lines of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and the like, there is no doubt that for contemporary scouts, Central America is becoming a rich hunting ground for skillful new prospects. 

Mexican idols have been heading to Europe for decades, some, like the incomparable Hugo Sanchez, turning into legends at some of the old continent's most prestigious institutions. The success of the Tricolor kids at the last Olympic Games, downing Brazil to win the gold medal, is further proof of this rich generation of budding stars. 

But their neighbours further south are catching up, and countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama are rightly respected for the young talent emerging from the local leagues. 

We take a look at some of the best young players currently plying their trade in Mexico and Central America and who are firmly in the eyes of European scouts for a move in the upcoming transfer window. 

Hiram Mier

At just 23 years of age, Monterrey central defender Hiram Mier already has an enivable football resume.

This product of the Rayados academy has won three straight Concacaf Champions League titles, and in 2012 he added an Olympic gold medal to his bulging collection as he was an ever-present in the victorious Mexico team. 

The cultured defender can play either in the middle or at right-back, and despite his less than imposing physical presence, holds up well against most strikers. He has been a stalwart for Monterrey during the most successful era in their history, but now might be the time to seek his fortunes elsewhere. 

During January, Mier was linked closely with a move to Liverpool, according to Goal.com (Spanish), and the transfer could be picked up again during the upcoming window. Yahoo Sports (Spanish) also names Roma as a possible destination for the young defensive prospect, who has four caps for the senior Mexico team. 

Allen Guevara

Although not thought of as one of football's most powerful nations, there is no doubt that in recent years more and more talent is emerging from Costa Rica. Paulo Wanchope helped open the gates with seasons of exemplary service in England with Derby County and Manchester City, and more are now following. 

Allen Guevara, a 24-year-old winger, could be the next Tico star to join the likes of Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell and Gilberto Martinez across the Atlantic Ocean. The right-sided winger is tricky enough on the ball to compensate for his small stature and has found great success at local giants Alejualense since moving in 2010. 

According to club vice-president Aquiles Mata, speaking to Al Dia, there has already been contact with European sides (in Spanish) and, although Guevara is under contract until 2014, that deal contains a release clause. The newspaper puts forward teams in Turkey, Belgium and Sweden as possible destinations for the star. 

Marco Fabian

While there have never been doubts over the talent possessed by attack-minded midfielder Marco Fabian, the same cannot be said about his rather suspect judgement. The 23-year-old Chivas star got caught up in trouble in 2011 when, alongside several teammates, he was sent home from Mexico's Copa America squad for misbehaviour while preparing in Ecuador. 

Later, he once more incurred the wrath of the press by celebrating a goal with a gun salute, considered a taboo gesture in the country currently torn apart by cartel violence.

He is a great prospect, however: strong, intelligent (at least on the pitch) and with a fantastic shot, as he demonstrated with two goals against Barcelona in a preseason friendly that led Chivas to a famous victory in August 2011. 

Having starred in Guadalajara for the last six years, there appears little doubt that Fabian is ready for the challenge posed by Europe. Agent Paolo Paloni told CalcioNews24 (via Goal.com in Spanish) that offers had already arrived from Germany and Russia, while they were waiting for further interest from Italy before making a decision in the offseason. 

Junior Lacayo

The Honduran national football team, pictured above, has come a long way in recent years, after spending decades barely figuring as a power in the sport. The turning point occurred in 2001, when the H finished third in the Copa America as late replacements for Argentina, and this renaissance was confirmed in 2010 with only their second World Cup appearance, the first since 1982. 

With stars such as Lacayo on the horizon, the future could also look even rosier for the Central Americans. Still only 17, this promising striker has already become a prolific and regular scorer for his local side, La Ceiba's Victoria. A full international cap has eluded him so far despite several call-ups, but it is only a matter of time before it comes for the man dubbed Tyson Nunez's heir. 

May 2013 saw an exciting twist in the Lacayo story. The Honduran wonderkid was invited to Upton Park, as reported by The Express, for a trial with English club West Ham United. The youngster told Diez (Spanish) that he was waiting for a call after completing the five-day test, but it will surely not be the only opportunity for this great forward prospect.  

Raul Jimenez

Raul Jimenez may not have been able to hit the target as America squeezed through to an agonising penalty shootout triumph over Cruz Azul to lift the Clausura title, but nobody could accuse the striker of not doing his fair share. The 22-year-old notched 10 goals over the course of the season to put the Aguilas on the course to victory, but now it appears he is ready to look at life outside of the Estadio Azteca. 

Minutes after the final whistle in the Azteca, Jimenez told Medio Tiempo (Spanish) that it was his dream to play in Europe, although he was not in any hurry to leave. Chances are, there will be more than a few suitors on the other side of the Atlantic ready to take him and make his dream come true. 

Goal.com quote the player himself (in Spanish), who says he would love to follow in the footsteps of Hugo Sanchez and play for Real Madrid. Perhaps a little more realistically for his first European move, the site goes on to name Stoke City and PSV Eindhoven as potential buyers for the player they call America's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.