AS Monaco are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Matthis Abline from FC Nantes, according to L’Équipe. After several months of negotiations, an agreement between the two clubs is reportedly nearing completion. Monaco have made multiple offers for the 23-year-old attacker, with the first bid submitted in April.
The transfer is expected to be worth around €30 million, which would represent a club-record fee for Nantes, surpassing the €20 million received for Nathan Zézé’s move to Neom last summer. Abline’s current contract with Nantes runs until June 2028, but he has already given his approval to join Monaco, believing the project in the Principality offers the best path for his career.
Abline experienced a somewhat underwhelming season with Nantes, finishing as the club’s joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 with six goals and providing three assists, but was unable to prevent their relegation to Ligue 2. The former France Under-21 international is now poised to sign a five-year contract with Monaco if the transfer is finalized.
Monaco reportedly beat competition from Paris FC, who previously attempted to sign Abline a year ago, and Crystal Palace, who had expressed interest but did not make a concrete offer. Despite facing constraints on their wage bill and needing to sell players to balance their finances – with Akliouche, Balogun, Camara and potentially Golovine among those who could depart – Monaco are still able to pursue targeted, high-value signings.
The club are specifically looking to strengthen their attacking options, with Abline identified as a key target, as well as finding a replacement for Maghnes Akliouche on the right wing. Monaco are expected to submit a fourth bid for the French international as they continue to reshape their squad for the upcoming season. This signing would provide Monaco with an additional attacking threat as they aim to compete at the higher end of Ligue 1.
