Monaco seems to be the market place of the top European clubs as they look to do their close season shopping.
The Ligue 1 champions players are on the verge of being taken up one after the other but Manchester United haven’t yet get hold of the coveted stars from Stade Louis II with United’s Jose Mourinho only bringing in Victor Lindelof from Benfica so far this summer.
Monaco enjoyed a brilliant run both in the Ligue 1 and the Champions League as their side set the UCL on fire last season and sent Pep Guardiola and Manchester City packing. However, the Les Monégasques squad is on the verge of being torn apart in the close season market, according to Manchester Evening News.
Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva has moved to Man City. Nabil Dirar has gone to Fenerbahce and Valere Germain has join Marseille. Next players who could face the exit door are Tiemoue Bakayoko who is close to sealing a move to EPL Champions Chelsea FC.
Monaco hugely coveted teenage striker Kylian Mbappe is a prime target for Arsenal but with a world record busting fee on cards for Monaco it is more likely he could end up in Paris at Paris Saint-Germain rather than London.
Another man on the list is the French club left-back Benjamin Mendy who appears to be heading to the Etihad to team up again with Bernando Silva. Monaco’s boss Leonardo Jardim has admitted even more could leave the Stade Louis II arena this summer.
“Three players have left – Dirar, Valere and Bernardo. Other players could leave us,” Jardim has said.
“Everyone knows our project. It hasn’t changed, even if we have won the title. The project is the same. The goal is still to win.
“Nothing has changed. It’s very important for us. What matters is the training of the young players and the quality of our game.”
So who is left for Jose Mourinho to sign from the lot?
FABINHO
Jose Mourinho’s side have been linked with 23-year-old defensive midfielder all summer and the Brazilian international would most likely interest the United fans player of choice to fulfill that role.
However, reports from France keeps claiming that Fabinho is prepared to stay at the club for another year before pursuing the next step up and Monaco, of course, are happy with that.
The door hasn’t closed on a move but the Red Devils are looking more likely to sign Nemanja Matic from Chelsea to look after the job Fabinho would be suited for.
DJIBRIL SIDIBE
Djibril Sidibe would be another player who could challenge Antonio Valencia as the Red Devils’ first choice right back. Valencia is the man in possession and his form last season has put the future of Matteo Darmian in doubt at Old Trafford.
If Darmian were to return to Italy with Juventus, Jose Mourinho would need a back up number two.
Arsenal were keen on signing him last summer but he wouldn’t move because he wanted regular first team football which Manchester United wouldn’t guarantee either.
THOMAS LEMAR
The 21-year-old Frenchman is versatile being capable of playing right or left wing and also through the middle. Lemar scores goals and has a decent passing rate as well.
He scored nine goals and notched ten assists in Monaco’s French title win and consistency is improving. The Gunners have their sights set on him.