News Focus
- AS Monaco have agreed terms to sign 22-year-old defender Nazinho from Cercle Brugge
- The deal is worth up to €5 million and includes a medical examination in the coming days
- Monaco are rebuilding after failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League
- Left-back Caio Henrique could leave, prompting the need for defensive reinforcements
- Both clubs share the same owner, Dmitry Rybolovlev, which helped push the deal through
AS Monaco have reached an agreement to bring defender Nazinho to the Stade Louis II from their partner club Cercle Brugge. The 22-year-old Portugal youth international is set to join the Ligue 1 side for a fee that could rise to €5 million.
The Principality club missed out on Champions League qualification this term. Club chief Thiago Scuro has spoken about an “end of cycle” at the club. Several senior players are expected to leave during the summer transfer window.
At left-back, Brazil international Caio Henrique looks set to depart. This would leave Kassoum Outtara as the only specialist in that position. Winger Krépin Diatta has also been filling in there, but he too is heading for the exit.
Nazinho will provide competition for a starting spot in the defence. German club VfB Stuttgart were also keen on the player, according to reporter Florian Plettenberg. However, Monaco held the upper hand throughout negotiations because both they and Cercle Brugge belong to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The young full-back is due to undergo his medical tests shortly. Once these are complete, he will finalise his switch to the French top flight.