Ecuador defender Orejuela near Queretaro move

RIO DE JANEIRO - Mexico's Queretaro are in advanced talks with Fluminense to sign Ecuador international midfielder Jefferson Orejuela, the Brazilian club said on Tuesday.

Orejuela is contracted with Fluminense until December but has told officials of his desire to leave following a two-year loan spell with LDU Quito.

"We really wanted to have him. We like him a lot. But the player said he has no interest in returning," Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt said. "Obviously we could have compelled him to return to training with us on the 8th [of January] but I don't want players who don't want to play here."

Orejuela, 26, made 48 appearances for Fluminense following his 2017 move from Independiente del Valle.

Queretaro's first match of 2020 will be a Liga MX duel with Leon on January 11.