ASM transfer round-up: Pellegri, Badiashile, Eriksen

AS Monaco's Performance Centre, La Turbie

It has been far from a revolving door at Monaco in this January window with only one incoming and one outgoing. With just days left, the focus is seemingly on player retention.

Vanderson’s arrival on the opening day of the window has not been built upon. Instead, Paul Mitchell, in collaboration with new manager Philippe Clement, have decided to trust in their current squad. Wilson Isidor has been the only player to depart thus far, but with vultures hovering, the Principality club will be looking to avoid losing their star assets in the closing stages.

Benoit Badiashile – linked by L’Equipe to Monaco. Since the Geordie club’s takeover, they have been looking to splash the cash, already bringing in Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood. They are, however, still looking for defensive reinforcements and have been in intense discussions with the Principality club about bringing Badiashile to Tyneside. L’Equipe, amongst others, reported that Monaco rejected a €40 million offer from Newcastle for their promising young centre-back earlier in the window. They remain undeterred. Discussions have continued and the centre-back’s future at the club will likely remain in-limbo until the window shuts.

Pietro Pellegri – linked by Gianluca Di Marzio to Torino. Pellegri’s departure is more planned and would prove much less disruptive than if Badiashile were to leave. The Italian striker is in the middle of a not so fruitful spell on loan to AC Milan. He has yet to score since his arrival in the summer, yet talks initially revolved around the Italian side securing a permanent deal for the Italian before loaning him out. Those talks seemingly broke down.

The most likely scenario is now a severance of ties with AC Milan, and another loan to Italian rivals Torino. It is currently unclear as to whether there will be a purchase option in the contract. This is one of the more likely deals to be concluded before the end of the window.

Christian Eriksen – linked by Nicolo Schiara to AS Monaco. In terms of incomings at the Principality club, it has been a quiet window. They got an excellent bit of business wrapped up early with the purchase of Vanderson, but have been seemingly reluctant to delve back into the market. Very few players have even been linked with a move to Monaco, and it remains the case that Monaco’s policy regarding incomings is likely to be based on outgoings. One spectacular rumour that has emerged is the potential arrival of Christian Eriksen.

The Danish midfielder, who suffered an on-pitch cardiac arrest in this summer’s European Championships, has been without a club since Serie A regulation meant it wouldn’t be possible to honour his contract with Inter Milan. He is therefore available on a free, and so the transfer is not obliged to go through before the deadline. A deal, although a possibility, does seem unlikely. The Athletic have recently reported that English club Brentford have offered the Dane a contract, and an agreement could be wrapped up in the coming days.

Monaco will be hoping for a quiet end to the window, in which retaining their young talents has been the priority. The retention of Badiashile, as well as the much coveted Aurelien Tchouameni, would therefore likely constitute a successful window.

 

Photo of AS Monaco training stadium in La Turbie by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life