Top five players AS Monaco should target this summer

Key players look set to leave due to their Ligue 1 misery last season, let's take a look at the potential transfers they could make.

While Monaco trying to reach the pinnacle of Ligue 1 since their glory days when Bernardo Silva and Mbappe were the names on their team, they have since struggled to reach or even match the same season form. They ended up missing the vital top-six spot last season and will be gutted to miss on all the European action. Their key players again have been linked to moving away like Youssouf Fofana is linked to Premier League teams already, AS Monaco need to reinforce their ranks to make an impact next season in order to manage a top-six finish next season.

5. Juan Cuadrado (Full Back) - Juventus

No matter the player, as their mid-30s arrive you know the day in which they leave their team is going to come sooner or later. Unless that guy is Gigi Buffon, Messi, Ronaldo, of course, but as we know there’s only one of that breed on this earth, so a major career transition likely comes when your age.

It’s only natural you tend to be used out of your favored position in more conventional roles, which appears set for Juan Cuadrado. The 35-year-old Cuadrado has played his final game for Juventus, according to Goal Italia, who has been with Juve since the summer of 2015, was one of the handful of players whose contract is set to expire at the end of the month of June. But, unlike Adrien Rabiot, Cuadrado actually does appear to be leaving and, like Angel Di Maria, is seeking a new club for next season.

But at 35 years old and playing for a club that’s very much in transition this summer, Cuadrado is one of those players that Juve will let walk on a free transfer. Rumors of potentially coming back on a reduced salary never materialized into a new deal in the same fashion as Rabiot, as Cuadrado now heads out on the free-agent market for the first time, with reported interest from Spain and possibly even Turkey coming his way. He will be an ideal replacement at the back of the defense for this Monaco side which will be seeing a lot of players departing. He will get the experience as well as some much-needed winning mentality to the squad.

4. Manuel Lanzini (Central Midfielder) - West Ham United

The midfielder Manuel Lanzini is 'likely' to depart the London Stadium in the summer, a transfer insider has informed GIVEMESPORT. The 29-year-old has been used sparingly this season and could well be set to seek a new challenge at the end of this term. Lanzini is out of contract at West Ham in the summer of 2023, though his current employers retain an option to extend his deal by a further two years, as per Transfermarkt. Spotrac detail that Lanzini earns around £70,000 per week at West Ham.

All things considered, Lanzini is a talented player that has made a significant contribution since joining West Ham United initially on loan from Al-Jazira in 2015 before making his move permanent for £9 million the following year. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end and the 29-year-old has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth amid competition from the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Pablo Fornals.

In his time at the Hammers, Lanzini has managed to register 31 goals and 27 assists from 218 appearances all in, as per Transfermarkt, becoming a fan favorite amongst their support due to his attacking flair and intuition. Now it looks like the Argentinian will be on the move to elsewhere and Monaco will be the perfect project as he will not only be their strength in the middle but he will get the freedom to attack as well and be the supply system of the squad.

3. Reiss Nelson (Winger) - Arsenal

According to The Athletic, Reiss Nelson is set to agree a new four-year deal with the club despite it looking increasingly likely he would leave for free at the end of the season. Arsenal are expected to earn a significant amount of money from Balogun this summer and perhaps could see good money made for Nketiah too in the near future thanks to the renewals of their deals. At the very minimum, this deal protects Nelson’s value and should he leave in a year or two, they’ll get a decent figure compared to the measly compensation fee had he moved to another English club for "free".

It’s a pleasing decision, but at the same time, questions remain that will he get the game time to prove himself in this squad filled with potential and talent. On the left, Mikel Arteta has even more options in Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Emile Smith Rowe. Although Nelson has certainly overtaken the latter in the substitution pecking order following a season of injury issues for the Gunners' No.10. Had Nelson made a switch to Brighton, or a team further down the table, or even abroad he has been good enough to earn a regular starting spot.

Without a doubt, there is some exceptional talent contained within Nelson that Monaco should explore. The French side is known to nurture and promote young talents, these both parties can be benefited should they decide to go in favor of each other. Reiss could get his call up for England and Monaco could get the vicious pace on the wings.

2. Donny van de Beek (Attacking Midfielder) – Manchester United

Donny van de Beek has made just 34 Premier League appearances since joining Man Utd for £40m in the summer of 2020. A mix of injuries and poor form have meant limited opportunities for the former Ajax star, and it appears his spell at Old Trafford is about to end. Again per Romano, van de Beek is now considering his options and will explore possible moves in the coming weeks.

The update does stress that van de Beek loves Man Utd and he loves Erik ten Hag, who he played under at Ajax. But he wants first-team football and there are clearly no guarantees of that in next season. Donny van de Beek is yet to make his mark since making a high-profile move to Manchester United from AFC Ajax in the summer of 2020. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer never managed to get the best out of the Dutchman in his debut season, and the trend continued into the 2021-22 campaign as well.

New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag reportedly wants to keep van de Beek in his plans for next season and try to get the best out of the player who was a star under him at Ajax. Manchester United are also vying on unloading players from their wage bill in order to bring financial stability and room for new much-needed new recruitments. Monaco could swoop in for this 26-year-old player who really needs a fresh start and clearly has the potential as seen in Ajax days.

1. Moussa Dembele (Center Forward) - Lyon

Developed at Paris Saint-Germain, Dembélé made his professional debut for Fulham in the Premier League in November 2013. He scored 19 goals in 64 matches for Fulham before joining Celtic in 2016. Dembélé helped Celtic win consecutive Scottish domestic trebles, before moving to Lyon in August 2018.

On 13 January 2021, Dembélé moved from Lyon to Atlético Madrid, on a 'loan with option to buy' deal until the end of the season after which he returned to Lyon but now the 26 years old finds himself without a club as he is released by the club at the end of June, 2023. Given his age and current contract situation, he could be a bargain only if Monaco can actually set a vision around him.

Since his return from the Loan spell in Spain, he have managed to get 25 goals in 64 matches across the span of 02 years. He has been hard-working and consistent throughout his tenure and he surely deserves the chance for him to prove his worth. Monaco are in need of such a player who can make such runs and have such hunger for goals and similarly, Dembele could use such a team to make himself the recognized attacker he once was.