Espanyol defender Cesar Montes is flattered to have caught the eye of Wolves and Nottingham Forest while refusing to rule out a potential £25 million move to the Premier League, speaking to SoyFutbol.
A couple of seasons ago, when still plying his trade back home at Monterrey, Montes was quizzed about reports suggesting that Wolverhampton Wanderers had lined him up to join fellow Mexico international Raul Jimenez at Molineux.
“The truth is that (Wolves) is a great club,” he told TUDN. “They are doing things very well. Raul has grown a lot, and now he is an important player in the Premier League.
“It is a top league.”
Three years on, Montes is back on Wolves’ radar (La Grada). Whether he feels the same now as he did back then, only time will tell. The ball-playing centre-half only moved to Europe in January – joining La Liga outfit Espanyol – but has impressed so much in such a short space of time that enquiries have already arrived not only from Wolves but also from Nottingham Forest.
Wolves and Nottingham Forest like Espanyol’s Cesar Montes
“This is an indication that I am doing well. I am grateful,” Montes smiles.
“I will continue on this path and, if something comes along, we will see in the future. It is not something that distracts me personally.”
Espanyol have clambered away from the dreaded drop zone in recent weeks, losing only only two of the La Liga games in which Montes has started.
“As a young man, he already pointed out that he would go to Europe,” a former coach tells AS.
“He’s a tall central defender, who dominates the passing game and handles the ball quite well without being super classy. (Montes) can play in a dominant team and in another that defends deep. He is tall but fast. He is very competitive and an excellent decision maker.
“Even as a young player, he was a starter in one of the best teams in Mexico and edged out veteran stars.”
Montes will reportedly cost around £25 million. Big-spending Nottingham Forest may enter the market for yet more reinforcements after suffering their fair share of defensive injuries this term. Romain Saiss – formerly of Wolves’ parish – is another on Steve Cooper’s radar.
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