Transfer Talk: Monterrey moves to reconfigure its midfield
After three seasons finishing in the top 2, Monterrey stumbled to a fourth-place finish last season before coming up short in the semifinals against Cruz Azul.
The Rayados were undefeated and in first place after 12 weeks when they hit a 0-1-3 speed-bump before winning their season finale to claim the No. 4 seed.
Even though coach Fernando Ortiz had tenuous job security entering the playoffs, Monterrey management decided to run it back with the 46-year-old manager.
With the new season just four weeks away, the Rayados have begun tweaking its roster in an effort to get back to the Liga MX finals for the first time in five years.
Monterrey midfield gets a facelift
The Northern Giants dipped into Spain's La Liga for a midfielder for the second time in a year. The Rayados acquired 29-year-old Óliver Torres who spent the past five years at Sevilla with whom he made over 200 appearances.
Torres started his career with Atlético de Madrid making his debut in August 2013 as an 18-year-old. The native of Extremadura could not break into the starting rotation and after three years he was sent on loan to FC Porto.
Torres scored 10 goals during his first two seasons at Porto and the Portuguese club purchased his contract ahead of the 2017-2018 season. Two years later, Porto sold Torres to Sevilla where he got regular playing time and played on two UEFA Europa League title-winning teams.
Although Torres was a top sub and regular contributor, Sevilla did not make a strong pitch to keep him and the midfielder will be out of contract on June 30. As such, Monterrey is acquiring a solid veteran on a free transfer.
Torres joins a solid midfield led by compatriot Sergio Canales who arrived to Monterrey from Real Betis in July of last year. With coach Ortiz favoring a 4-3-3 alignment, Torres will compete with Luis Romo and Jorge "Corcho" Rodríguez for a spot in the starting line-up.
Torres is Monterrey's second acquisition this offseason following Colombian starlet Johan Rojas. Rojas, 21, is a combo player who tracks as both a right wing and as an attacking midfielder. With limited professional experience, Rojas is likely to be a development project this season.
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To make room for Torres, the Rayados sold Omar Govea to Guadalajara. Govea spent three seasons with Monterrey but fell down the pecking order in midfield after the acquisitions of Canales in 2023 and of "Corcho" Rodríguez in January.