Nashville SC head coach BJ Callaghan confirmed that winger Jonathan Pérez was held out of their preseason match against Orlando City in view of a potential transfer. Pérez, 23, has been strongly linked with a move to Chivas Guadalajara in Liga MX over the last several days.
"We held Jonny out of the game," Callaghan said. "We're obviously pursuing... there's a transfer opportunity here. He's still here in camp. He's still part of the team. And I think it's customary that when some of those things occur that we protect the best interest of the club and the best interest of the player. He's still currently a Nashville player."
Pérez was signed on loan from the LA Galaxy in the summer of 2024, with Nashville making the move permanent in August, acquiring him in a $1.8 million cash transfer and signing him to a U22 Initiative contract. He's signed through 2028, with a club option for 2029.
Pérez has represented Mexico at the U16 through U23 levels, and has been the subject of interest from Liga MX over the last several years. Chivas have reportedly made an offer to Nashville ahead of the Mexican transfer window closing on Monday, February 9.
