Monaco are negotiating the surprise sale of Pape Cabral to Al-Ahli as they seek to fill the black hole left by Folarin Balogun’s refusal to join Everton.
L’Equipe report that the young midfielder could be the subject of a surprise €10m move to Al-Ahli. Negotiations are now at an advanced stage for his sale.
The newspaper speculates that it could be the beginning of the fallout from Balogun’s collapsed sale to Everton.
Monaco need cash to balance the books and meet DNCG requirements in France. They are now acting quickly to do that and may let one of their prospects leave as a result.
Everton transfer collapse
The Ligue 1 side had been banking on the sale of Folarin Balogun to Everton on deadline day. They appeared to be getting their wish as he signed a deal sheet late on the day.
That came after Everton re-negotiated terms over concerns about the striker’s fitness. They did that successfully with Monaco and all appeared to be going well. Balogun, though, threw a spanner in the works by walking away from Everton at the last minute.
That not only stopped them from signing the striker they needed but also denied Monaco the funds they had planned for from the sale. Similarly, it also stopped the sale of Lamine Camara to Chelsea. This also would have provided much needed transfer funds.
Saudi option
Now they may be forced into the sale of Pape Cabral to Al-Ahli just to raise funds. Talks between the two parties are moving rapidly, with an agreement based on a €10m transfer fee.
That comes after General Manager Thiago Scuro publicly acknowledged the possibility that players other than Camara and Balogun would leave in the coming days.
The Saudi Arabian transfer window closes later than in Europe, a factor that could benefit all parties but particularly Monaco as they scramble following Balogun’s late decision.
