AS Monaco FC has reached an agreement with Portuguese Primeira Liga giants F.C. Porto for James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho, according to the club’s official website.
The deal is reportedly worth €70 million, with Moutinho and Rodriguez having both penned five-year deals at the Stade Louis II.
“AS Monaco FC is glad to reach an agreement with FC Porto and players Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez for their transfers to ASMFC, for the season 2013-2014,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“Players will be introduced to the media during pre-season training.”
Earlier this week, Moutinho revealed he was “extremely happy” at the club, white insisting that his future is up to Porto.
“Right now, nothing will make me change clubs. I am extremely happy here and the most important thing is happiness and winning titles,” said the Portugal international.
“My future is up to FC Porto. No player is immune to leaving. But if something does come up, it has to be something good for both parties.”
Moutinho and Rodriguez were part of the Porto side that won the treble (Primeira Liga, Taca de Portugal and UEFA Europa League) in 2010-11.
Porto have now sold three of their top players, Hulk to Zenit St Petersburg and now Moutinho and Rodriguez to Monaco, in the past two years.
Furthermore, Ghana international winger Christian Atsu, who made 26 competitive appearances for the Portistas last season, has talked up a move to the Premier League amid reported interest from Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Prior to agreeing five-year deals with Monaco, Moutinho, 26, had been linked with a move to White Hart Lane, while Rodriguez, 21, was reportedly being scouted by English Premier League champions Manchester United.
Monaco, who are financed by Russian billionaire Dmitri Rybolovlev, have also been linked with summer moves for Carlos Tevez and Radamel Falcao.
Verratti staying at PSG
The agent of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has revealed the player will not be leaving the Parc des Princes this summer, Sky Sports understands.
Verratti, 20, has been linked with a shock exit from PSG in recent times, with Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid reportedly interested in the Italy international.
“I confirm what I have said in the past – a lot of money is needed to sign Marco,” Donato Di Campli told calciomercato.it.
“No Italian team at this moment in time has what is needed to sign him.
“If we then add the player’s desire to stay then I can say with some certainty that he will remain with PSG over the summer.”
Verratti, who joined PSG on a five-year contract from Pescara last summer, made 38 appearances across all competitions for PSG last season.
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