Timely transfers: Money-making Monaco poised for profits
When Ligue 1 holder Monaco signed Jorge from Flamengo in January, the 21-year-old full-back was lured to the principality with an eye on the future.
Sit on the bench and learn were Leonardo Jardim's instructions, and when given the chance to deputise for Benjamin Mendy - which, for the 2015 Under-20 World Cup's best left-back, was five occasions - he impressed.
Fast forward a few months, and Mendy is one of Europe's most targeted talents on the heels of a stellar campaign, and the €13 million paid for the French international from Marseille a summer ago looks like a steal. With a fee three times that amount associated with a move for Mendy, Monaco could make a massive profit when compared to the €8.5 million paid for Jorge's services.
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Such are the luxuries of a club blessed with equal-parts youth and depth, and despite the opulent wealth of Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, Les Monegasques have taken a more resourceful approach. Under the guidance of vice-president Vadim Vasilyev, Monaco has forsaken big-money buys for a youth movement, and it's paid immediate dividends.
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Though the summer window doesn't swing open until July 1, Monaco has been busy sticking to that ethos, bringing in four players, and while Diego Benaglio's move from Wolfsburg to the French Riviera is cover for second-choice shot-stopper Morgan De Sanctis' expiring deal, the other three are consistent with Monaco's modus operandi.
IN: Youri Tielemans OUT: Fabinho
When Monaco swooped for Youri Tielemans on a €25-million transfer from Anderlecht, Jardim and Co. wasted little time in besting Europe's biggest club for the prodigious 20-year-old midfielder.
Best suited in a central role in combination with a defensive-minded midfielder who will allow him to roam, the Belgian is a perfect replacement for Fabinho.
This past season with the Jupiler league champ, Tielemans bagged 18 goals while registering a dozen assists in all comps, earning a spot on UEFA's Europa League Squad of the Season and the plaudits of pundits and supporters alike.
Considering Fabinho's heady play and stellar record from the penalty spot have reports suggesting a potential fee in excess of €40 million, Tielemans' switch to the Cote d'Azur has the makings of a brilliant buy.
IN: Soualiho Meite OUT: Tiemoue Bakayoko
If Monaco fancies turning a lavish profit on both members of its central-midfield tandem, the acquisition of Soualiho Meite from Lille for a modest reported fee of €8 million could do exactly that.
That's not to say Meite is at Tiemoue Bakayoko's level, and the player who spent last season on loan at Belgium's Zulte-Waregem is actually a year older than his countryman, though he fits a similar mold.
A barbarous middle-of-the-park beast, Meite is a robust physical presence happy to put in a thunderous tackle before springing a mate with an incisive ball, and with a skill set that suits a pairing alongside Tielemans, Monaco supporters will quickly warm to the 23-year-old Paris-born brute.
With reports pegging Chelsea to table an offer of €35 million for Bakayoko, the principality side could harvest healthy proceeds for its box-to-box star.
IN: Jordy Gaspar OUT: Djibril Sidibe
With just two Ligue 1 starts this season for Lyon, Jordy Gaspar, 20, still has yet to prove his worth at the highest level. But in acquiring the full-back, Monaco has formed a young duo with Almamy Toure, 21, that could fill the void left vacated by a potential Djibril Sidibe departure.
While Toure is almost certain to start ahead of Gaspar, the Frenchman's signing is an indication that Monaco is poised to sell Sidibe and his full-back brethren Mendy.
Here's the thing about Sidibe: he's not a very good defender, and on countless occasions his impetus for running forward left his teammates caught out. Look no further than the first leg of the Champions League semi-final defeat against Juventus for proof.
Should one of Europe's biggest clubs submit a bid in the neighbourhood of €30 million, Monaco would be mad to reject the offer, especially considering that Gaspar has joined the Ligue 1 holder on a free transfer subject to a formation fee around €495,000.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)