Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
César Montes left Monterrey last winter transfer window to join La Liga side Espanyol. However, the Barcelona-based club was one of three clubs relegated after the 2022-23 season, but it doesn’t mean Montes wants a return to Liga MX.
Montes’ future is uncertain; nonetheless, it doesn’t appear that the 26-year-old wants to return to Mexico as Club América has an interest in the center-back. FOX Sports Mexico’s Santiago Fourcade revealed on RG La Deportiva that Montes wants to remain in Spain.
“Club América is desperate to hire César Montes; they are putting more bills into him than [Espanyol] paid in Spain to repatriate Montes,” Fourcade said Tuesday.
The Mexican defender is currently drawing interest from Mallorca, who has Javier Aguirre as their manager. Aguirre managed Montes while at Monterrey, so it is no surprise he wants his former player.
“César had a great season, it was difficult for him at the beginning like everyone else and then he finished very well beyond what he is a great professional and a great boy,” Aguirre told ESPN recently.
“He even scored goals, so he would be a very successful signing. We are looking for a right-footed central defender, which is what we want, but he’s on the list. We have a list of five or six names and he’s there of course.”
Monterrey has filled the void Montes left on their defense when the club landed Víctor Guzmán. The young defender has been able to fill the shoes that Montes left behind.
Mexico to begin dialogue for a Copa Libertadores return?
Liga MX clubs last participated in the Copa Libertadores in 2016. However, that might change, so soon Monterrey supporters could see Rayados play in South America.
The Mexican Football Federation president Juan Carlos Rodríguez spoke about attempting to find a discussion with Conmebol to have Mexican clubs back in the Libertadores and possibly Copa Sudamericana.
“We want to enter into the discussion of the subject of the Libertadores and once and for all, if they invite us, under what conditions and with great desire to participate if they invite us in a good way,” Rodríguez told the media (h/t Olé).