At this stage of the transfer window, with deadline day in sight for West Ham United and their Premier League rivals, any publicised absence from summer fixtures or pre-season training tends to get the tongues wagging.
Newcastle’s world imploded when it emerged that Alexander Isak – their wantaway talisman – would not be jetting out to Hong Kong with the rest of Eddie Howe’s squad.
West Ham-linked goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was absent, too, at Parma this week. Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes moved to cool speculation surrounding Mads Hermansen, meanwhile, explaining that the much-admired goalkeeper has not featured over the summer because of a groin injury, rather than any imminent departure from the King Power Stadium.
Either way, speculation always runs amok when July turns to August.
And, just a day after West Ham reportedly made a bid for Nelson Deossa of Monterrey, the combative Colombian was nowhere to be seen as the Mexican outfit crossed the border into America for a Leagues Cup clash with FC Cincinnati.
Nelson Deossa opens up on transfer ‘dream’ after reported West Ham United bid
Domenec Torrent, Monterrey’s head coach and Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man, insisted in his pre-match press conference that Deossa was ‘happy’ in Mexico.
Like Hermansen, meanwhile, his absence from the midweek trip to Ohio can be put down to injury. A ‘serious’ one too, according to the man himself, even if he understands the skepticism given the time of year.
“Everyone believes what they want to believe. Unfortunately, I had a sprain. I wanted to play from the first matchday, but the pain wouldn’t let me,” Deossa tells ABC Noticias, having previously urged supporters to ignore any ‘nonsense’ claims regarding his future.
“It’s a serious injury. It needs to be treated properly. I feel much better now and I’ve made good progress.”
Whether claims of a £10 million West Ham bid are correct, one thing is for certain. Deossa is a man in demand, and the 25-year-old is not averse to a fresh start on the other side of the Atlantic.
Quite the opposite.
“I’ve been very professional. I always give 100 per cent wherever I am,” he adds. “My intention is to compete, to contribute to the team both individually and collectively.
“[But] my dream is to go play in Europe. I think my performance [recently] was very good, not just at the Club World Cup. I played every game with professionalism.
“It’s something you answer for yourself. If FOX Sports or ESPN comes along and says, ‘Come on, I want to sign you,’ do you leave?,” Deossa asks his interviewer.
“It’s not that I’m saying; ‘I want to leave.’ It’s about seeing what’s best for the club and for me. If the club doesn’t accept the offer, I’m not leaving. If they accept it and I don’t want to, it won’t happen either. But if it happens, obviously I don’t want to close the door.”
Deossa consults Real Madrid legend and Monterrey teammate Sergio Ramos
Deossa was one of the standout midfield performers at the aforementioned Club World Cup. He scored with a long-range rocket against Urawa Reds of Japan. That being one of seven he has managed in 29 matches since joining Monterrey from Pachuca back in January.
West Ham reportedly approached Richard Rios – another Colombian and another Club World Cup star – before his £23 million switch from Palmeiras to Benfica.
Compatriot Deossa is another high-octane, all-action midfielder capable of contributing both on and off the ball, while boasting an eye for the spectacular as well.
Alongside West Ham, Real Betis are the club who have been most frequently mentioned in the media this week.
Deossa admits to having sought advice from teammates Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, Lucas Ocampos and Hector Herrera, all of whom enjoyed successful spells in Europe with Real Madrid, Betis, Sevilla and FC Porto, to name but four.
“I’ve spoken with Sergio Ramos, Canales, Ocampos, and Hector Herrera. They’ve given me good advice. If [a transfer] happens, I’m going to apply it,” Deossa says.
“Right now, I’m focused on recovering well, because the idea is to be at my best, whether here or [somewhere else].”
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