The ASM rumour mill: Minamino, Badiashile, Ramazani, Matsima, Disasi

With the sale of Aurélien Tchouaméni completed, AS Monaco are already looking to reinvest the reported €100m that they received for the sale, whilst more players are also linked with departures.

Takumi Minamino – Linked by Foot Mercato to AS Monaco – Speaking to L’Équipe in the wake of the Principality side’s draw against RC Lens on the final day of the season, sporting director Paul Mitchell revealed that he wished to recruit “an offensive element, either a wide-man or a centre-forward.” Minamino is seemingly their prime target to fulfil that objective. The Liverpool attacker, who has been deprived of game time at Anfield, could be available for as little as €15m this summer.

Monaco could face competition from Premier League sides Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham and Southampton. However, according to Foot Mercato’s Sébastien Denis, Monaco are “fixed” on the idea of signing the 27-year-old Japanese international, and have made him a priority.

Largie Ramazani – Linked by La Dernière Heure to AS Monaco – The former Manchester United academy player has thrived since arriving at La Liga 2 side Almeria. Having joined on a free in 2020, this year he played a pivotal role in getting the side promoted to La Liga. During that campaign, the 21-year-old scored eight goals and registered one assist, and his club regard him as a “very important element for the future.”

However, Monaco manager and compatriot Philippe Clement could be willing to test their resolve to keep the player. According to reports, Clement “appreciates his profile” and could make an offer for the player. Given how highly regarded Ramazani is at his current club and that he has a contract that runs until 2025, it could be difficult to dislodge the Belgian forward.

Justin Kluivert – Linked by Il Romanista to AS Monaco – Another option to reinforce Monaco’s forward line could be Roma’s Kluivert. The Dutch international spent last season on loan at Riviera rivals OGC Nice, but they decided against activating their purchase option on the player. Monaco are now interested in the player and have reportedly enquired about his availability. After a solid, but not spectacular year at Nice, he could be available for around €15m. The deal is reportedly being handled by the heir’s of Mino Raiola, who have an established headquarters in Monaco. It remains to be seen whether Monaco will follow through on their enquiry and solidify their interest in a player, who has just one-year remaining on his contract in the Italian capital.

Benoît Badiashile – Linked by RMC to Sevilla – Last week Newcastle United, Manchester United and Chelsea were revealed to be interested in Monaco’s France U21 international. This week, La Liga side Sevilla look to have joined the race. The Spanish side see Badiashile as a replacement for Diego Carlos, who left earlier this summer to join Aston Villa. Consequently, they are looking for a replacement and will reportedly “soon make an offer” to the Principality side. According to L’Équipe, Newcastle had a €40m bid rejected for the French defender in January, so he, like Tchouaméni, won’t leave on the cheap if he is to leave at all. Sevilla’s sporting director Monchi has already conducted “several meetings,” but the Spanish side face significant competition as Juventus have also reportedly joined the race to sign one of Europe’s most coveted defenders.

Chrislain Matsima – Linked by RMC to Lille and Angers – The French U20 is in search for increased game-time and is set for talks with the club in order to ascertain how to attain it. Meanwhile, Lille and Angers could be set to offer him what he desires. Both sides have made “first contact” with Monaco for a move either on loan or on a permanent deal, whilst two German sides are also reportedly interested and have made contact with the player’s entourage. It is not yet clear whether it is Monaco’s preference to retain the player for the upcoming season, send him out on loan in order to gain experience, or sell him.

Axel Disasi – Linked by Marca to Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur – Another Monaco defender linked with a move is Disasi, and given that Monaco boasted the joint fourth best defensive in Ligue 1 last season, it is no surprise. Disasi has admirers in Spain and it is Atletico Madrid that are “closely following” the defender according to Spanish media. Monaco, however, consider him an “important player” and have therefore not set a price tag. Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the player and have reportedly been tracking his progress for the last two years.

 

 

Photo of Axel Disasi, Monaco defender, by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life