Nice snatches Saint-Maximin from Monaco

Prodigious French Under-20 star Allan Saint-Maximin is set to make the short drive east along the A8 after swapping Monaco for Cote d'Azur rival Nice.

Les Aiglons announced the move with a statement on their website Monday, adding that Saint-Maximin completed a successful medical with the club before putting pen to paper on a deal for a reported transfer fee of €10 million.

Rachid Ghezzal's move to the principality earlier Monday all but paved Saint-Maximin's exit, but, after the 20-year-old impressed last season on loan at Bastia and again in the summer at the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea, Les Monegasques' supporters can be excused for being mystified by the move.

A right-winger whose dribbling skills are nightmare fuel for left-backs, Saint-Maximin has enjoyed loan spells with Hannover and Bastia after joining Monaco in 2015 from Saint-Etienne.

His 144 take-ons last season whilst on loan with the bottom-dwelling Corsicans were the most in Ligue 1, besting a trio of top-tier stars in Florian Thauvin (91), Ryad Boudebouz (88), and Amine Harit (88).

Saint-Maximin's signing comes the same day Champions League play-off rosters had to be submitted, meaning Les Aiglons' two Monday signings - the pacey winger and Wesley Sneijder - will be eligible to play Napoli on Aug. 16.