Monaco not assured of Europe, major sales looming amid revenue shortfall | OneFootball

Monaco, out of the Champions League race, visit Strasbourg on Sunday chasing a late European berth, but a summer sell-off now looms.

Last weekend’s 0-1 defeat by Lille shut the door on the top 4, leaving the Europa League as the target and the Conference League as fallback. According to L'Équipe, only Champions League revenue balances the books, so job changes and heavy sales are likely despite a potential €20m profit this season after €3m in 2024-2025.

Even by around 23:00, Monaco still might not know their fate, because Friday’s Coupe de France final will reshape Europe’s slots. Nice face Lens, and the outcome will directly affect Ligue 1’s sixth and seventh.

Monaco reach the Europa League if they win at Strasbourg, Marseille lose to Rennes, and Lens win the Cup. If the first two happen but Nice lift the trophy, Monaco drop into the Conference League play-offs.

If at least one of those first two conditions fails, Monaco would need a Lens triumph to reach the Conference League. Owner Dmitri Rybolovlev could also dismiss chief executive Thiago Scuro and technical director Carlos Avina, particularly without Europe.

The gap between Champions League and Europa League income is €30m, and €50m to the Conference League. Gate receipts bring about €5m a year and sponsorship advertising €22.336m in 2024-2025, so player trading must bridge the shortfall.

Folarin Balogun, Lamine Camara and Maghnes Akliouche will headline the market, and their sales will exceed €100m combined, with many others potentially available if a World Cup from 11 June to 19 July slows the window.

Monaco plan to activate Ansu Fati’s €11m option, and are close to signing 19-year-old Mathys Detourbet on a two-season loan from Manchester City with an option or compensation. The squad remains built around Thilo Kehrer and Denis Zakaria, who should return to midfield on Sunday, while coach Sébastien Pocognoli’s future is also under review despite his wish to stay.

Source: L'Équipe