Former Europa League winner on the verge of Monterrey move
By Sam Plummer
Confirmed by César Luis Merlo, a deal has been agreed between Monterrey and Sevilla for the services of Óliver Torres.
Following in the footsteps of former Real Betis, Real Sociedad, and Valencia midfielder Sergio Canales, Torres will be the second Spanish midfielder to join the club in as many years.
Torres was apart of Sevilla's squad this season as they finished 14th in La Liga. Featuring in 27 of the 38 league games, the 29-year-old failed to make an appearance in any of their last 6 matches.
Despite the struggles of the 2023/24 season, the midfielder will join Monterrey with an impressive resume. Lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy twice with Sevilla (2020 & 2023), Torres also won the Portuguese Primeira Liga in 2018 with Porto. Earlier in his career, whilst at Atletico Madrid, he won the Europa League as a youth player, breaking into the first team at the age of 17.
Torres will be able to offer an exciting attacking outlet for Los Rayados this upcoming season. A player who displays a great range of short and long-range passing possibilities, and is comfortable dribbling with the ball at his feet. At the age of 29, the midfielder remains in the prime of his career.
In Monterrey's last victory over Cruz Azul, Fernando Ortiz played a 4-4-2 formation with Canales and Argentine Jorge Rodríguez being utilized in the middle of the park. In this system, the Spaniard tended to play in more attacking positions while Rodríguez was more defensive-minded.
While Canales is beginning to age at 33, he continues to show his quality. Completing the most passes in the game, the one-time Real Madrid player had a pass completion rate of 87%. Throughout the Apertura and Clausura, he has been an asset for the team, scoring 13 goals.
Other central midfield options include Mexican international Luis Romo, Arturo González and Omar Govea. Although, the signing of Torres would likely result in the departure of at least one of these players.
If the deal goes ahead, as expected, Torres will likely challenge for a starting position, either to provide rest for an ageing Canales or to play a deeper role in an all-Spanish midfield.