Monaco set transfer record.

In selling the striker to Manchester United for €70m, the Monegasques have set a mark for the most money recouped in one transfer window

For the second year of their Porto-style project, Monaco have thrown themselves headlong into a transfer market that has been extremely animated. Vice-president Vadin Vasilyev is content with the work completed, despite the departures of stars such as Layvin Kurzawa, Aymen Abdennour and Anthony Martial at the very end of the transfer window. Monaco have taken a risk in selling their best players this summer but it has earned them a record-breaking income.

For the principality club, the aim was to recruit in two different spheres, the domestic market and the foreign market, with the common denominator being youth. Thus, from Fares Bahlouli through to Stephan El Shaarawy via Ivan Cavaleiro, Monaco presented no fewer than nine players at once during a unique press conference.

However, everything changed on Monday with the incredible sale of Martial to Manchester United. The Red Devils, unleashed since the start of the summer, have spent no less than €70 million to secure the services of the 19-year-old, who was called into the France squad for the first time last week. It pushed Monaco’s receipts in this summer transfer window to €204 million.

If their balance book is looking so healthy, it is above all because Monaco have perfectly enhanced their youthful nuggets to sell at a high price.


The stunning Geoffrey Kondogbia transfer to Inter set the tone of the summer. The France international midfielder had a strong 2014-15 campaign, with some of his best performances coming at the optimal time, but his price tag of €40m was unimaginable a few months ago.

The refrain was the same for Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, another Monaco pearl. He was sold for a princely €20m to Atletico Madrid. The young Belgian winger had a mixed campaign but his potential alone was enough to drive up his price on the market.

Kurzawa, another artisan of the very good Champions League run, has been ceded to PSG for €25m. In the capital, the young full-back can rediscover the taste of the most prestigious of European competitions. Defensive pillar Aymen Abdennour was equally quick to leave Monaco to sign with Valencia for €30m.

In his squad announcement press conference, Didier Deschamps spoke of Martial’s situation. The France boss gave his feelings on the transfer of the youngster, who has entered into the top 10 most expensive deals of all time alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

“Is it a good choice for Anthony? He’s going to a very big club. We’ll have to see what happens, obviously. He’s changed galaxy. He has to continue his progression and get game time,” Deschamps said.

With this transfer record, Martial become the second most expensive player in history under the age of 21 after Neymar, who moved to Barcelona for €83m.


With €204m worth of receipts, Monaco have a transfer market record and well ahead of their competitors. Porto’s €106m can go to bed. Likewise, the €124m Tottenham collected in the summer they sold Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. Ditto for Manchester United, who sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Los Blancos for €94m during the 2009 summer transfer window.

For those coming in, despite the promise of the youth, Monaco have managed to capture a star in the form of El Shaarawy. Fabio Coentrao, on loan from Madrid, will replace Kurzawa. Meanwhile, Cavaleiro had a promising pre-season, and after being bought for €15m will be one of the most closely watched players in France.

Among the other promising youngster, Mario Pasalic, on loan from Chelsea, will also be scrutinised. He had a superb season with Elche last term and the Croat is capable of playing anywhere in the middle of the park. At his side, Adama Traore, recruited from Lille, is another of Ligue 1’s greatest hopes. Voted the outstanding player at the last Under-20 World Cup, the Mali star played only a few handfuls with his former employers. The harvest of youngsters continued with the signings of Allan Saint-Maximin (subsequently loaned to Hanover), Sao Paulo’s Boschilia and Rony Lopes from Manchester United.