Monaco return under Filipe Luis with 26 pros and three signings, but World Cup absentees remain | OneFootball

Monaco returned on Monday as pre-season opened with physical and medical testing. New head coach Filipe Luis was on duty with three new arrivals involved, though several World Cup players were absent.

According to L'Équipe, Luis began assessing a 32-man group at La Turbie, 26 senior players and six youngsters. Among them were Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati, whose purchase option has been exercised.

The first recruits included winger Mathys Detourbet, 19, and Portuguese left-back Flavio Nazinho, 22. Detourbet signed for Manchester City after emerging at Troyes, then joined Monaco on loan. Nazinho arrived from Cercle Bruges for five million euros.

PSG midfielder Aymen Assab, 18 on 18 July, was also confirmed. Loanee returns included Radoslaw Majecki, Edan Diop and Lucas Michal.

Centre-back Sadibou Sané underwent a medical nearby on Monday and, barring a late change, a move worth seven million euros plus more than three million in bonuses should be announced on Tuesday.

Long-term absentees Takumi Minamino and Mohammed Salisu will continue on individual programmes, while Vanderson can work with the group. World Cup players Folarin Balogun, Lamine Camara, Denis Zakaria and Maghnes Akliouche are still engaged or on leave.

The first on-pitch session is due at 10am on Wednesday, after which the new coach will be presented. The first competitive match is scheduled for 20 August in the Conference League play-off first leg, with Ligue 1 starting the weekend of 23 August away to Le Havre.

Source: L'Équipe