Bayer Leverkusen is interested in 20-year-old Mexican midfielder Elías Montiel, who also remains a target for Ajax, according to a confirmation from Pachuca president Armando Martínez. The German club approached Jan Westerhof, who coached Montiel during his time at Pachuca's youth academy. Westerhof stated to the Mexican branch of ESPN that Leverkusen's inquiries were primarily about Montiel's personality rather than his on-field abilities. Despite this interest, Westerhof advised against a move to the Bundesliga at this time, calling it an enormous step. He believes a transfer to the Netherlands would be a better intermediate stage for the player's physical and professional development, suggesting that the German league's environment, with its physically imposing and mentally strong players, would be too complex for a Latin American player at this point. According to Transfermarkt, Montiel has a current market value of €5.50 million.