‘Extraordinary’ player now set for surprise transfer despite recent West Ham offer

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West Ham have been one of the busiest clubs in the summer transfer window, and deadline day is proving to be quite the period for the Hammers.

James Ward-Prowse is closing in on a move to Nottingham Forest whilst TBR Football exclusively revealed that Nayef Aguerd is subject to a bid from Al-Ittihad, with a number of departures expected from the Irons in the final hours of the window.

As well as departures, the Hammers could make a final signing or two before the market closes for good later tonight, with Lucas Ocampos reportedly subject to a bid from West Ham as the Sevilla winger looks to leave Spain.

Yet the Argentina international now looks set for a surprising transfer.

Lucas Ocampos close to joining Monterrey despite West Ham interest

According to Cesar Luis Merlo, Ocampos is closing in on a move to Mexico giants Monterrey, with an agreement already reached with the Liga MX side for the winger to make the move.

Merlo wrote: “Rayados reached an agreement in principle with Lucas Ocampos for his contract. Now, Monterrey is negotiating with Sevilla the transfer of the Argentine. The Spanish club are willing to release him for a price that is in line with what the Mexican club can pay. It is getting closer for Monterrey.”

Once hailed by Lionel Messi as an ‘extraordinary’ footballer, West Ham missing out on Ocampos to Monterrey of all clubs will be viewed by the east London side as a kick in the teeth given the stature of the Premier League.

However, with Liga MX on the rise and able to pay big wages for certain players, it makes sense why Ocampos favours a move to Mexico, with Monterrey also one of the biggest teams in all of North America.

Ocampos would have been a poor fit for the Premier League

Ocampos is a player that has never really hit the heights many expected from the Argentine winger even with the forward playing for some big teams in Europe across the years.

Yet a move to the Premier League might have been a leap too far for Ocampos, who at this stage in his career should be considering clubs in divisions where he could become the star player.

And Monterrey and Liga MX could be just that for the winger, with the division proving to be quite the destination for European-based players looking for something new in their careers after hitting a wall.