When a year and a half ago César Montes (Hermosillo, 1997) signed his signature to extend his contract with Monterrey for four more years, he obtained in exchange the promise that they would attend short-term offers to be able to emigrate to Europe. That was his dream and his natural destiny for a long time. He had just won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games and the MX League had outgrown him in every way. His desire was clear: to compete in the best leagues in the world.
The physical conditions (1.95 meters) and techniques of Montes had attracted attention in the old continent and, although the movements had been constant even a year before, the pandemic stopped everything. In 2019 he was one of the pillars of the team that achieved the double (Concacaf League and Champions League) for the Monterrey striped team. He was also crowned champion of the Gold Cup with Mexico. He had peaked in America. But the market contraction trapped the Cub, nicknamed for his stature and power. He then decided not to harm his team and sign a renewal with a difficult promise to keep and that took him a little further from his dream.
Today that wish is about to materialize. There are only fringes left for Espanyol and Monterrey to make official an agreement that should have been signed in the summer market, but that stopped the economic difficulties of the parrots and the high claims of the Mexican team. The World Cup in Qatar, in which he has been one of the team's most outstanding players as a starter in Mexico's defense, has only confirmed the great projection of the central defender. After months of negotiations, the blue and white team will pay 8 million in two installments, one now and the rest next season.
The imminent arrival of Montes – he will not be in the derby against Barça since he cannot be registered until 2023 – is considered by the blue and white leaders as a true Christmas gift after cataloging it as a priority. “If he was closed we would have announced it. But we are with the fringes of the contracts. Let's hope it's the Christmas present for Espanyol. If it can be for the uncle, better than for Christmas (...) If it can be there tomorrow, better than next week", explained Mao Ye, CEO of the club.
“We know what we need and we will do our best to meet expectations,” Ye continued of the requests for reinforcements. Despite having "the money just like everyone else", Espanyol hopes to strengthen the team with "quantity and quality" and for this they do not consider "a sale". “We will try to spend the best possible. It depends on how you distribute the money, how you optimize it, ”he concluded.
Montes, a neat and tactically intelligent player, is only 25 years old but has a wealth of experience, having participated in 216 games in the First Division of his country in the last eight seasons. It will be the first incorporation of the several that Diego Martínez has demanded in all possible ways. In addition, he will be the fifth Mexican to land at the club after Germán Villa, Paco Palencia, Héctor Moreno and Diego Reyes, as well as coach Javier Aguirre. The puppy fulfills his dream. Now he will have to fulfill those of the parrots.
