PSG attacking Monaco's new star

Monaco is navigating the current summer transfer window with smart strategy. Unlike the past two summers, there haven’t been any major purchases yet, but some big names have arrived at the Stade Louis II on free transfers. Paul Pogba, Ansu Fati, and Eric Dier will be key figures for Adi Hutter in the new season. Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is also expected to join the Principality club soon, but there could also be some significant departures from last season’s Ligue 1 third-place squad. Monaco has two golden geese in its squad—players capable of bringing massive financial boosts to the club. Over the past decade, under the ownership of Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco has earned a reputation as a tough negotiator and a club that sells highly talented players for astronomical sums. The cases of Kylian Mbappe—the second most expensive footballer in history (sold to PSG for 180 million eures)—Aurelien Tchouameni, James Rodríguez, Thomas Lemar, Benjamin Mendy, and Bernardo Silva support this claim. All were sold for amounts between 50 million and 80 million euros.

Currently, Monaco holds similar valuation ranges for its wingers Maghnes Akliouche and Eliesse Ben Seghir. Akliouche, a 23-year-old right winger, is valued at 45 million by Transfermarkt. Ben Seghir, three years younger and a left winger, has a market value of 28 million according to the same site. But Monaco wants much more. Paris Saint-Germain has taken interest in the French-Algerian Akliouche, who already has six caps for the senior national team. According to France’s Eurosport, the 2017 Ligue 1 champions are demanding 70 million for Akliouche, who is eager to move to the Parc des Princes.

Marseille are into Africa: Yesterday Auba, today young Weah

As for Ben Seghir, AC Milan inquired earlier in the transfer window but quickly backed off after learning how highly Monaco values the Moroccan international. Due to an injury, the 20-year-old missed last week’s friendly against Nottingham Forest, and reportedly dissatisfied with losing his starting position last season, he would also be open to a move. Nice-Matin reports that Monaco is willing to part with the left winger—but only for 50 million. Last season, Ben Seghir scored nine goals and provided four assists in 46 appearances across all competitions. Akliouche was even more productive, and though he played about 1,000 more minutes, he recorded seven goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances.