Elías Montiel Targeted by European Giants | OneFootball

Elías Montiel, 20, is among the many exciting young Mexican prospects who have attracted European interest.

Over the last year, Bayer Leverkusen, Ajax and Braga have been some of the names linked with the midfielder, but new teams have emerged as interested buyers.

Pachuca’s starlet missed a chunk of the Clausura through injury. This dented his value and chances of making the national team ahead of this summer’s World Cup, but he came back in style by scoring an equalizing goal against Toluca after being absent for eight games prior.

Robbed of a World Cup place

Last week Mexico’s manager, Javier Aguirre, announced which Liga MX players would be called upon for the World Cup. Montiel was a surprise absentee.

Many believed that Montiel would be one of the beneficiaries from Marcel Ruíz’s exclusion following his torn ACL. Instead Aguirre preferred the likes of Gilberto Mora, Erik Lira and Chivas’ Brian Gutíerez.

Despite not doing enough to convince the decision-makers of a place this summer, he has managed to attract interest from major European clubs.

Mexican players heading to Europe 2026?

As we head towards the summer transfer window, rumours have escalated for many Mexican stars.

According to multiple reports, Cruz Azul’s Erik Lira has played his last game for the club with interest from Spanish side Girona.

Another move worth paying attention to this summer involves Club América’s Israel Reyes, who, like Lira, has reportedly played his final Liga MX match. Rumors grow for a move to Italian giants AS Roma.

The same can be said for Chivas’ goal machine Armando ‘Hormiga’ González, who has left Chivas’ Liguilla efforts to prepare for the World Cup. A host of clubs are expressing an interest in the forward, including Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.

So where is Elías Montiel heading?

Elías Montiel is heavily tipped for a departure from Pachuca this summer, and it is reported that the Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon is set to make a move.

Sporting join a host of European sides interested in the midfielder, but will be hoping that their run to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals will convince the 20-year-old that they are the right club for him.

Based in the Portuguese capital, Sporting remain locked in a battle with city rivals Benfica for second place and the last spot in the Champions League qualifiers. Porto have already secured the Liga Portugal title.

There have also been reports linking the midfielder with a potential move to fellow Liga MX side Chivas. Los Rojiblancos have impressed under Gabriel Milito in 2026 and previously signed Bryan González from the same club last season.