Just days after signing Porto duo James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho from Porto for €70 million, Ligue 1 club AS Monaco are set to splash more money this week with the signings of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Falcao is the big name. The Colombia striker scored 28 goals this season and helped Atletico win the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid earlier this month. He had a €60 million buy-out clause fee in his contract which Monaco have activated.
Victor Valdes has been part of the Barcelona first team since 2002. He announced earlier this season that he would not be renewing his contract at the Camp Nou, and Monaco probably picked him up for around €10m.
When the deals go through that will bring Monaco’s summer spending spree to around €140 million. Monaco’s Russian billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev had pledged a summer transfer budget of €200 million, leaving more than enough money to add another two top quality players.
Monaco’s early transfer activity has sent a message to the entire Ligue 1 that they will be a force to be reckoned with next season.
Now the focus turns to PSG, who looked like they were going to dominate Ligue 1 for years to come. How will they handle having a competitor who can compete with them in the league and in the transfer market?
