Cruz Azul chief casts doubt on Rangers' Carlos Pena salary claim

Cruz Azul's sporting director Eduardo de la Torre has appeared to play down claims the Mexican side are paying Carlos Pena's wages in full.

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Rangers said on their website earlier this week that Pedro Caixinha’s new side had agreed to pay all of Pena’s salary following his arrival on a year-long loan deal from Rangers.

But de la Torre suggested that the deal was not as clearcut as had been reported.

Carlos Pena pictured in action for Rangers last month before he agreed a 12-month loan deal with Cruz Azul. Picture: SNS Group

Speaking to the media in Mexico, de la Torre is quoted as saying: “As for the salary that [Carlos Pena] will receive, I heard that he will be the best paid.

“The only thing I can tell you is that the official figures are far from the ones you [have heard].

“Carlos is coming for a year on loan. We do have a [purchase] option at the end of the year,” he confirmed.

Pena jetted out to his homeland earlier this month with a view to completing a 12-month loan deal with the Mexican top flight side that will see him reunited with his former manager at Ibrox.

Pena will be reunited with former Gers boss Pedro Caixinha at Cruz Azul. Picture: SNS Group

An arrival from Guadalajara during the summer of 2017, Pena struggled for form at Rangers despite netting five goals for the club.

Despite not featuring straight away, he forced his way into Caixinha’s plans but fell out of favour following the sacking of the Portuguese boss, and failed to consistently make the team under then interim boss Graeme Murty.

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