Elche CF have placed Argentine winger Santiago Montiel on their list of targets for the June transfer market. According to information from Radio MARCA Elche, the Illicit club is looking for options on the wings and sees the Independiente player as a viable and cost-effective alternative.
Montiel, 25 years old, plays mainly as a right winger, but can also play on the left or even as a winger. Born Gregorio de Laferrere, he is 1.66 m tall and left-handed. He arrived at Independiente in August 2024, coming from Argentinos Juniors, for US$1.5 million for 50% of the rights.
The player gained international recognition after winning the 2025 Puskás Prize with a great bicycle kick. At Rojo, he showed versatility and a capacity for imbalance, although the current season has been irregular, with fluctuations in performance and injury problems.
On the Argentine side, Independiente had already set a price for the athlete: around 4 million dollars net for the club. Rojo only holds 50% of the economic rights and seeks an operation that generates a clear profit. Montiel’s representative is the agency DE 9 Fútbol, linked to the same group as Christian Bragarnik, owner of Elche.
What the operation would representFor Elche, who compete in the Spanish Second Division and dream of returning to the elite, Montiel would be a signing with an affordable South American profile, with the potential for immediate impact. The club has already explored the Argentine market in other windows with a similar strategy. For Independiente, the sale would help balance the books and obtain a good return for a player who is not considered non-transferable.
Montiel renewed his contract with Independiente in January 2026, with an improved salary, but his stay is not guaranteed given European interest. The striker will need to decide if the moment is ideal for the jump to Spain or if he prefers to continue consolidating himself in Argentina.
The name joins others on Elche’s agenda, such as Italian Mattia Felici, in a search for reinforcements on the wings under the guidance of coach García Pimienta. The conversations are still at an early stage, but Montiel is already gaining strength among the priorities.
