Thiago Scuro says it is ‘a shame’ that Monaco were forced into George Ilenikhena sale | OneFootball

George llenikhena (19) left AS Monaco to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad on transfer deadline day in a deal worth €33m.

The striker was seen as a big prospect at the Principality club, however, earlier in the window, the club’s CEO, Thiago Scuro, said that a sale was necessary between then and July in order to stave off potential UEFA sanctions. 

It was Ilenikhena, therefore, who was the sacrificial lamb. “We are now good on this topic (UEFA rules). It was one of the objectives that I had. I have to make the best choice for the organisation. It isn’t the best decision for me. Does that mean you wanted to keep Ilenikhena? Yes, certainly,” began Scuro at a press conference attended by Get French Football News. 

He continued, “George is a player with a lot of potential. That is why there were two or three negotiations with him this winter. We are happy to have found a solution for the financial situation but it is also a shame that a young player who has a lot of potential to progress… but that is the situation and we have to make decisions.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco