Monaco secure first option on six Portuguese starlets

Portuguese Primeira Liga outfit Sporting Braga have revealed that French giants Monaco have acquired the first option on six of their footballers.

The Portuguese club announced in their annual financial report that Monaco have paid €1.1 million for “right of observation/preference in hiring” for youngsters Bruno Almeida, Miguel Pinto, Luis Azevedo, Nurio, Jorge Fernandes and Gil Dias.

Some of these footballers are currently members of club’s reserve side that competes in Portugal’s second division, while others are still playing for the youth teams.

Monaco have recently decided to make a U-turn in their recruitment strategy as rather than paying top dollar for world-class players, the Principality club aim to sign talented youngsters on the cheap and sell them on for profit, as witnessed by their latest piece of business.

After winning their last two league fixtures, the Stade Louis II outfit host Reims tomorrow evening and can be backed at 4/9 to claim maximum points.