Transfer Talk: Monterrey stuck in neutral as fans await blockbuster move

Are the Rayados playing a waiting game?

What will deep-pocketed Monterrey do to make another run at a Liga MX title?

Thus far, the Rayados have just trimmed around the edges, selling off midfielders Jesús Gallardo and Omar Govea and replacing them with Colombian youngster Johan Rojas and La Liga veteran Oliver Torres.

Although some front-office types would like the fans to believe the Torres acquisition is THE summer blockbuster, coach Fernando Ortiz no doubt knows the club will have to open up its wallet if Monterrey is going to get back to a Liga MX final.

Gallardo and Govea were expendable, to be sure, but even if Rojas and Torres are upgrades, the Rayados need firepower up front to compete with América and Cruz Azul, last season's Liga MX finalists.

And Sevilla decided to play sore loser after losing Torres on a free, so that's a gut-punch. The Spanish club are refusing to release the 29-year-old midfielder until his contract officially ends on June 30. As such, Torres will barely have started training with the Rayados when their season kicks off on July 7.

In late May, there was talk that Real Betis' attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir was a potential target but there has been no movement on that front. Now, his acquisition would be closer to a blockbuster, as would the move to get Uruguayan starlet Brian Ocampo. Monterrey was linked to the 24-year-old Cadiz forward briefly but not a peep since May 23.

Only three weeks until their clash with Pachuca and the Rayados have yet to address their needs in attack.

It is thought that Monterrey will dump back-up forward Rodrigo Aguirre (he doesn't want to leave, especially since he would likely be asked to take a pay cut at his next stop) and "Ponchito" González also appears to be odd man out, so if the Ocampo story is a dead end, they really need a Plan B.

Yes, they have signed Roberto de la Rosa, but the 24-year-old striker from the famed Pachuca academy has failed to win the starting job with the Tuzos numerous opportunities.

Sure, Germán Berterame is capable of putting up big numbers and coach Ortiz will expect more from Brandon Vazquez in his second season in Liga MX, but winger Maxi Meza's production has dropped. And the club could use a reliable back-up for midfield wizard Sergio Canales. At 33, it might the wise to make sure the former Spain international is fresh for the playoffs.

All in all, nobody should be surprised if Monterrey makes headlines with a splashy move before the transfer window closes. The Rayados can't afford to wait that long, however, because it'd be tough for a newcomer to get fully comfortable already fully one-third of the way through the schedule.

Other Liga MX transactions

A quick look at a couple done deals: Tijuana purchased the contract of Argentine midfielder Emanuel Reynoso from MLS club Minnesota United, but the lowly Xolos have a long way to go if they hope to be relevant in Liga MX in the short term

The Pumas got themselves a new defender, bringing in David Martínez from River Plate on a loan deal that includes a buy option. They have also welcomed winger Jorge Ruvalcaba back into the fold. The 22-year-old spent a year in Belgium with the Standard de Liege B-team.