It's set to be a difficult summer for AS Monaco. The club beat a host of top European clubs to secure the signing of highly-rated Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, as well as tying star striker Radamel Falcao to a new contract.
But Bernardo Silva, a key player for the Principal club, has left for Manchester City in a £43 million move and a number of Monaco's prize assets could well join him in leaving the club - with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho, Tiemoué Bakayoko, Thomas Lemar and Benjamin Mendy all linked with moves away.
Image: PA
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The likelihood of the aforementioned Monaco stars departing the Stade Louis II is increased significantly by news that manager Leonardo Jardim is set to leave the club.
Image: PA
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Jardim, like a plethora of elite-level players and managers before him, has been unable to resist the lure of the Chinese Super League and will become manager of Beijing Guoan, where he will earn 12 million euros per season.
If the reports are true, it's inevitably a monumental blow for Monaco.
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Jardim masterminded the club's first Ligue One title success in 17 years, while also guiding the club to the Champions League semi-finals in what was a memorable campaign for the club.
The 42-year old transformed Monaco into one of the most exciting, attack-minded sides in club football, seeing the side score a staggering total of 159 goals in all competitions last season.
Only a couple of days back, Jardim talked about interest from China, but noted that he didn't feel his project was finished, and that he would sign a new contract with the club.
Should Jardim imove to China, as reported, Jardim will join the likes of Andre Villas-Boas, Manuel Pellegrini, Fabio Cannavaro and Luiz Felipe Scolari, who are all managing in the top tier of Chinese football.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: AS Monaco
