SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio is delighted Miguel Layun is set to move from Porto to La Liga side Sevilla.
The Spanish side announced on Monday that an agreement had been reached with Porto to bring the 29-year-old full-back to Sevilla on a loan deal with an option to buy, resurrecting a deal that was tabled last summer.
Layun had found minutes difficult to come by at Porto, sparking concerns for Mexico about whether he'd come into the World Cup next summer in top condition.
Osorio believes the move is a boost for both the player and for El Tri.
"It's excellent, it's a great opportunity," said the Colombian manager, outside the Mexican team hotel in San Antonio, where El Tri will play Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wednesday.
"I spoke to [Layun] two days ago. He asked my opinion and I gave him it: Some months ago when I had the opportunity to be in Sevilla it was obvious that [former Sevilla coach Jorge] Sampaoli and his coaching staff preferred a marker in that position, such as [Gabriel] Mercado.
"It seems the new coach [Vincenzo Montella] likes full-backs that push forward and attack. That's why he's tried [Jesus] Navas there. With full respect to both [Mercado and Navas] I believe Miguel can compete with them for the position.
"I think that [Layun] wanted a club that needed him, showed interested in him and in which Miguel would have the possibility to compete for a place. [The move] would be great for him and the national team."
Former Watford defender Layun is set to undergo his medical in Spain on Tuesday.
Osorio is preparing for Mexico's friendly in Texas -- involving only Liga MX and MLS-based players -- but has been unable to travel with the full squad, with Pachuca midfielder Victor Guzman ruled out with a left knee injury and striker Alan Pulido returning to Chivas due to an ankle complaint.
"The situations of both makes us sad," stated Osorio. "They were both set to play between 45 and 60 minutes. Now the most important thing is that they recover and that they know their chance isn't gone. We'll keep observing them."
Monterrey's Jesus Molina replaced Guzman, with no-one called in to substitute Pulido.