Monaco’s micro state, major transfer power as agents flock for Monaco v PSG | OneFootball

Monaco has become a discreet nerve centre for transfer negotiations, helped by a dense network of agents and executives. The Principality hosts the Champions League play-off first leg between Monaco and PSG on Tuesday at 21:00.

According to L'Équipe, luxury venues such as Le Méridien and the Hôtel de Paris routinely stage talks that seal major moves. Influential operators including Rafaela Pimenta, Federico Pastorello and Enzo Raiola live or work in the city, alongside locals like Benoît Biancheri.

Agent Nicolas Morelli says Monaco’s two square kilometres compress the industry into walking distance, making introductions easy. That proximity helped him move from law into representing players, including Tiémoué Bakayoko.

Residency is costly and corporate tax is about 25 per cent, roughly France’s level, while foreigners pay no income tax. Monaco was placed on the FATF grey list in 2024, which has made bank transfers, notably to Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, more cumbersome.

Confidentiality and security are core attractions, from private salons to staff used to sensitive meetings, and the culture discourages leaks. Nice airport is roughly 30 minutes away, Italy is close, and nearby clubs Monaco, Nice, Marseille and Cannes add to the pull.

Pastorello cites Monaco’s role in advancing Mehdi Taremi’s move to Olympiakos at last summer’s Golden Foot Awards, plus talks on Theo Hernandez and Simone Inzaghi with Al Hilal. Preparations for Romelu Lukaku’s 2021 return to Inter also unfolded here, while owners Jim Ratcliffe, Steve Parish and Rinat Akhmetov, and regular visitor Luis Campos, use the setting.

Source: L'Équipe