They've had the bulk of the title-winning side ripped from them, but Monaco continue to do incredible business in the transfer window.
Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy have both joined Manchester City, Tiemoue Bakayoko left for Chelsea, Kylian Mbappe is PSG-bound and Thomas Lemar could well join Liverpool before Thursday's deadline, but you have to applaud Monaco for the manner in which they are constantly able to replace their top assets with high-quality additions for excellent prices.
The latest example of the Principality club's shrewdness in the transfer market is the club's signing of Balde Keita from Lazio.
The Senegal international looked nailed on to leave the Italian capital this summer and was heavily linked with the likes of West Ham, Tottenham, Juventus and Inter Milan.
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But it's Leonardo Jardim and Monaco who have been able to secure his services, with the club announcing the player has joined on a five-year contract. The fee for the 22-year old is believed to be €30 million (£27.8 million).
Keita will wear the No.14 shirt at the club, and will be looking to kick on from an excellent season that saw him net 16 goals in Serie A last season.
In a summer of changes at Monaco, Keita becomes the club's 10th signing of the summer, and the second player to join today after former Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic was added to the ranks in a €11 million move from Inter Milan.
Image: AS Monaco
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Youri Tielemans, Rachid Ghezzal, Diego Benaglio, Terence Kongolo, Jordi Mboula and Adama Diakhaby are just a few of the other high-profile additions at the Stade Louis II.
Will Monaco be just as exciting next season even without the spine of their side?
Sound off in the comments below.
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