French Media: Spartak Moscow Bid €19 Million for Golovin as Monaco Face Serious Financial Pressure

According to Footmercato, Monaco are facing severe wage restrictions this summer, but they have still sold players for €106 million and are aiming to reach €150 million in total revenue.

After being asked by the DNCG in late spring to control their wage bill, Monaco knew this summer would not be easy. The club have sold Akliouche, Bamba, Caio, Ouattara and others this summer, generating €106 million excluding bonuses, but the Monaco board originally hoped to push the total up to €150 million. In the final moments of the transfer window, Balogun’s €50 million move to Everton collapsed, almost forcing Lamine Camara to join Chelsea for a similar fee. In the end, the club had to turn to other markets that remained open, such as Thilo Kehrer, whose loan move to Ajax had already been approved. Young midfielder Papu Cabral from Monaco’s “La Diagonale” academy was originally expected to continue playing for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, but the transfer worth around €10 million ultimately did not go through.

During this round of cost-cutting measures, Golovin’s future quickly became a focus. One of the team’s highest-paid players, the 30-year-old attacking midfielder is under contract until 2029, and Russian clubs made a serious approach at the end of the domestic transfer window. According to Russian media outlet Championat, Spartak Moscow submitted a €19 million offer to Monaco’s management in recent hours for the player who joined Monaco in 2018 after spending six years at CSKA Moscow. Zenit Saint Petersburg had also been pursuing him for several weeks, but without success.

However, unless there is a late change, the Russian international will not leave immediately. Sources told us that Golovin has already provided two assists in three Ligue 1 matches and is not currently planning to change clubs. Although he is interested in returning to play in Russia, the salary offered by the interested party was not significantly different from his current package at Monaco and failed to convince him. More importantly, the number 10 has regained his form under Filipe Luis and has become a key player for the team. Golovin is an important part of the Brazilian coach’s tactical system, with Monaco currently top of Ligue 1 and having defeated Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.

The coaching staff can now fully relax. Filipe Luis had originally worried that the team would suffer major departures, but as September arrived, Balogun, Lamine Camara and the Russian midfielder were all still in the squad. Given the current financial and sporting management situation, the DNCG will not intervene again in the short term. However, according to our information, the club’s financial situation will still require new decisions when the winter transfer window opens on January 1. Last winter, they also sold Georgiy Ilenikhena to Saudi Arabia for €33 million.

Next, Monaco will travel to Strasbourg after defeating Marseille and Paris in succession. The team hopes to continue allowing Golovin, Lamine Camara and other young talents to shine in French football while maintaining their push for the league title.