AS Monaco may have opened their Ligue 1 campaign with a steady 3-1 win over Le Havre, but calm seas rarely last long on the Rock. Beyond Adi Hütter’s grumbles about “avoidable mistakes” and missed opportunities, the real turbulence could come from the transfer market, and it’s threatening to hit the squad’s core.
The most unsettling development centres on Denis Zakaria. Until recently, the Swiss midfielder seemed firmly anchored in Monaco’s plans, his all-action profile a vital balance in Hütter’s midfield. But Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli have now stepped up with a sizeable offer, and according to French reports, contacts are advanced between the two clubs. The question is whether Zakaria, faced with the lure of a lucrative deal, is willing to abandon a season that promises Champions League football. His departure would cut deep, stripping Monaco of one of their most reliable engines.
Meanwhile, academy jewel Eliesse Ben Seghir is eyeing pastures new. Having slipped down the pecking order and struggled for form, the 20-year-old has told club officials he wants a move this summer. German champions Bayer Leverkusen are circling, with a €25 million bid lodged last week. Monaco, however, are playing hardball, holding out for closer to €40m before sanctioning a sale. With the player under contract until 2027 and other European clubs monitoring the situation, the saga is unlikely to resolve quickly.
Elsewhere, Wilfried Singo has emerged as a target for Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk. The Turkish giants reportedly floated a loan deal with a €20m purchase option, but Monaco value the versatile defender at nearly double that figure. Negotiations, for now, look distant. As for Thilo Kehrer, speculation linking him with a move to Istanbul appears wide of the mark. The German centre-back remains committed, and with Monaco expecting a heavy fixture list across domestic and European fronts, his role looks safe under Hütter’s planned rotation.
For all the transfer chatter, Monaco’s squad remains intact, for now. Yet the coming weeks promise to test both Thiago Scuro’s resolve in the boardroom and Hütter’s ability to keep his group focused. With Saudi riches, Bundesliga ambition, and Turkish interest swirling, ASM’s season may hinge not only on performances on the pitch, but also on how well they defend their assets off it.
