The Count of Monte Carlo

By David Lee Wheatley

Monaco set for influx of stars

Having regained Ligue 1 status after two years away from the top tier of French football, Monaco have set about challenging Paris Saint-Germain for top-flight supremacy with vigour since the end of the domestic season.

Following on from the splashing of £60m on Porto duo James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho last week, the Monegasques are strongly rumoured to have Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, 27, and Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 31, lined up for medicals early this week ahead of possible transfers.

It’s expected that Colombian forward Falcao will cost them in the region of £51m, while Spain international Valdes will set them back around £8m with only one year remaining on his Camp Nou contract.

Thanks to Monaco’s tax haven status and their billionaire Russian owner Dmitry Evgenevich Rybolovlev, it’s now possible for Les Rouge et Blanc to compete with the top European names in their quest to sign the best players money can buy.

This may extend to the signing of Real Madrid left wing-back Fabio Coentrao, who recently confirmed his intention to leave the Castilian club at the end of this campaign. Monaco may face competition from Chelsea should Jose Mourinho make his expected return to Stamford Bridge; the Portuguese tactician is a big admirer of Coentrao and would see his 25-year-old compatriot as a natural successor to Ashley Cole on the left-hand side of defence.

The footballing project at Stade Louis II is obviously one that excites a number of players, along with the obviously financial and lifestyle benefits of living in Monte Carlo. The glamorous heart of the principality attracts many rich people to its shores and footballers on massive salaries are not alone in their desire to sample the delights of living in such a picturesque and interesting destination.

With the financial backing of their owner, Monaco are set for another rollercoaster ride into the unknown, a journey that brought them seven league titles between 1961-2000, five Coupe de France triumphs (the last coming in 1991) and a Champions League final appearance in 2004, albeit a losing one.

The gauntlet has been firmly laid down by PSG and Rybolovlev has taken it upon himself, with the full backing of ASM’s biggest fan Prince Albert II, to take on the task of overhauling the Parisians in the race for Le Championnat next season.

 

Who would bet against them?

 

Twitter: @davewh1980