Monterrey close to signing MLS Golden Boot leader Cuypers for $7.5M

Published Jul 19, 02:39 PM UTC

CF Monterrey is finalizing a deal to sign MLS Golden Boot leader Hugo Cuypers from the Chicago Fire for a fee of $7.5 million plus $500,000 in add-ons, according to sources briefed on the situation. The 29-year-old Belgian forward leads MLS with 13 goals this season in 989 minutes. His departure comes weeks after the Fire signed Polish legend Robert Lewandowski, with Cuypers having given his No. 9 shirt to Lewandowski but never sharing the field with him. Cuypers joined Chicago for around $12 million ahead of the 2024 season and scored 44 goals in all competitions for the club. Multiple MLS clubs, including St. Louis City, also pursued Cuypers. Monterrey had previously acquired Uruguayan attacker Diego Rossi from Columbus Crew this summer. Cuypers' departure leaves Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and FC Dallas's Petar Musa as the league's active leading scorers with 12 goals each.