5 Players Who Might Join Falcao at Monaco This Summer

After last week’s capture of Falcao, newly promoted French moneymen Monaco have captured the attention of Europe.

Now with their three main targets secured, the Principality outfit can continue their squad building by raiding the transfer market further.

For the moment, it is less of a question of who Les Monegasques have been linked with, and more one of who they have not.

But after being priced out of a number of moves close to home, you can expect Monaco to continue setting the summer transfer window alight with a number of other high-profile signings before the market’s doors slam shut.

Here are five names that could join Falcao in signing for the ambitious Ligue 1 side.

Eliaquim Mangala

Next on Monaco’s summer transfer market shopping list is another defender to pair alongside recent signing Ricardo Carvalho and imminent arrival Nicolas Isimat-Mirin of Valenciennes (via Goal).

According to reports in France (via Mercato 365), it will take €50 million to persuade the Portuguese champions to part with one of their star talents.

His recent call-up for the senior French national side under Didier Deschamps adds weight to the Dragons’ claims that he is worth the full value of his minimum fee release clause.

Whether Monaco are prepared to pay that if they complete the signing of Isimat-Mirin for a fraction of the price (€4 million), remains to be seen. 

Carlos Tevez

Instead, Les Monegasques could be tempted to follow up their early interest in Manchester City’s Argentine attacker Carlo Tevez, despite recently playing down a move for the 29-year-old (via ESPN FC).

The former Manchester United man has expressed an interest in moving to France, and Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be the only realistic destinations (via ESPN FC).

A lot of that speculation hinged on former City coach Roberto Mancini taking over the Principality outfit though.

Now with Claudio Ranieri seemingly assured of his position for the time being (via ESPN FC), a potential move might have to wait unless the club decide to delve back into the transfer market. 

Isco

Instead, Monaco might choose to focus their attentions on signing Malaga’s Champions League sensation Isco.

It has been a whirlwind season for the Spaniard.

The 21-year-old was superb in the Andalusians’ unlikely Champions League campaign, notching three goals and four assists on his European debut, proving that he belongs at that level.

Eleven goals overall demonstrate a player with considerable potential; however, he could be persuaded to move to Monaco given that Malaga cannot offer European football next season as they are banned.

Les Monegasques are reportedly already in talks over the youngster (via Talk Sport), but incoming Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini supposedly also has his eye on the starlet (via BBC Sport). 

Dani Alves

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves is another La Liga-based talent who could arrive at the Stade Louis II before the end of the transfer window.

According to reports (via Goal), the Brazilian international is open to moves to both PSG and Monaco.

With Barcelona looking to signal the start of a new cycle of talent despite winning the Spanish title this season, Alves could find himself jettisoned as one of the club’s more dispensable assets.

Jeremy Menez

Finally, former Monaco and current PSG man Jeremy Menez could make a return to the Principality.

The French international has been frustrated in the second half of the season in the French capital and is set to hold talks over his future before making a final decision (via ESPN FC).

If the 26-year-old, who had a two-year spell at Monaco between 2006 and 2008, does make the move this summer, he would be one of the first domestic talents signed by the club since returning to the top-flight.

However, PSG are loath to sell the talented, but frustratingly inconsistent, Inter Milan target (via Bleacher Report) just yet.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti even recently branded him the “future” of the club in a recent interview, despite not seeing eye-to-eye with the Frenchman (via Sempre Inter).

Honourable Mentions

Although unlikely for now, after he signalled his intent on seeing out the remaining year of his contract before leaving for free next summer (via ESPN FC), Barcelona’s Victor Valdes could well find himself departing the Camp Nou ahead of schedule.

Monaco are looking for a new goalkeeper and have also been linked with a bid for Marseille’s Steve Mandanda (via ESPN FC).

The French international would be pricey though, as would former ASM netminder Stephane Ruffier of Saint-Etienne. Valdes would be a cheaper option as he enters the final year of his deal with the Catalan giants.

Mandanda’s teammate Nicolas N’Koulou is also an option, and a cheaper one than Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala at that (via Sky Sports).

Cameroonian international N'Koulou might feel that he has a point to prove at the Stade Louis II after he was prematurely sold because of their relegation to Ligue 2 in 2011.

Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna is another potential target.

Despite recently entering negotiations to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, the French international also insisted that he is open to a switch to either Paris Saint-Germain or Monaco (via Sky Sports).

Lastly, Juventus’ Claudio Marchisio could be a surprise arrival despite recently being branded “non-transferable” by his employers, according to Made in Foot (in French).

The Turin giants have reportedly rebuffed a €25 million bid (via Football-Italia), and it is believed that the Italian international favours staying with the Old Lady for now.