West Ham United linked defender Gonzalo Montiel got rid of his agent after failing to secure a move from River Plate to Europe during the summer transfer window, as reported by La Pagina.
There was a time, around April and May, when it felt inevitable that this highly-rated Argentina international would be heading across the Atlantic at some point.
Montiel caught the eye during River Plate’s Cope Libertadores triumph in 2018 before forcing his way into Lionel Scaloni’s Albiceleste plans, attracting interest from clubs in Spain, Italy and England along the way.
The defender’s then-agent, Marcelo Carracedo, admitted to Clarin that West Ham were interested in his client; a claim backed up by Hammers play-maker and Argentina teammate Manuel Lanzini (Ole).
“(West Ham) had already been interested in Gonzalo and they continue to be,” Carracedo said.
But, when the longest window in history finally slammed shut in October, it was Vladimir Coufal, rather than Montiel, who became the new right-back David Moyes was looking for.
According to La Pagina, the tough-tackling River Plate defender was not exactly pleased with how things turned out.
He parted ways with Carracedo and has now hired Pablo Sabbag, who represents the likes of Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos and PSG play-maker Leandro Paredes, as his new agent.
Interestingly, Montiel will become a free agent in the summer of 2021.
Perhaps West Ham and co were put off by an £18 million release clause in the contract of a player who will be available for absolutely nothing in the near future.
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