AS Monaco’s frantic finish as Balogun, Golovin and Kehrer decisions loom | OneFootball

AS Monaco begin their season on Thursday 20 August with a Conference League play-off first leg against Ferencvaros or Gornik Zabrze, yet the window stays open until 1 September at 19:59. At St George’s Park, Filipe Luis is pushing to settle his squad. Four sales have raised 105 million euros, with Nazinho, Sané, Detourbet and Abline arriving, and 48 million euros spent to land Ansu Fati permanently.

Monaco are pursuing a left-back to compete with Nazinho, a defensive midfielder and potentially a winger. Talks have started for Cruz Azul’s Mexico international Erik Lira, 26, though progress hinges on moving Folarin Balogun, who occupies a non-EU slot alongside Vanderson, Takumi Minamino and Eric Dier. L’Équipe reports that Tottenham have strong interest in Balogun, last season’s 19-goal top scorer.

Interest in Frosinone winger Farès Ghedjemis, 23, remains, but that too is tied to funds from any Balogun sale, with the striker in discussions with three clubs. With DNACG oversight in place since June, Monaco continue to pare back wages. Dier, once expected to leave, has convinced Luis and captained the last two friendlies.

Thilo Kehrer could depart, with the Middle East and Türkiye viewed as the most plausible destinations at present. He did not start against Getafe or at Liverpool, as Luis now prefers Dier alongside Sadibou Sané. Kehrer is not forcing an exit and recalls reclaiming his place after a similar start in 2025.

Aleksandr Golovin’s exit is still sought to reduce costs, with options in Saudi Arabia and Russia, and the club want 20–25 million euros. Lamine Camara is content to stay despite Premier League interest and a 35 million euros bid from Crystal Palace being rejected.

After selling Aladji Bamba to Newcastle for 36 million euros, Monaco would need a huge offer for Camara, and 60 million would not suffice at present. Youngsters Aymen Assab, Anis Soubeir, Safouane Benzahra and Oumar Konaté are set to stay, while Paris Brunner hit five in five in pre-season and is pushing for starts.

Source: Nice-Matin

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”