Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 6y

Fabinho set to leave Monaco in summer amid Atletico Madrid, PSG links

Fabinho has said he will leave Monaco next summer, with Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain reported to be among the clubs interested in him.

Brazil international Fabinho had said he would welcome a move to Manchester United last summer, only for them to sign Nemanja Matic, and was then widely expected to join PSG.

But the midfielder stayed at the Stade Louis II as teammates including Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Kylian Mbappe left.

He told reporters on Wednesday that the club had given him their word that he could leave despite a contract that runs until 2021 and said: "Normally, it's my last season at Monaco. I don't think there's the possibility to leave [before then].

"I've not had any contact and I haven't asked to leave in January. I'm calm at Monaco, and I wouldn't be able to play in the Champions League with another team."

Since helping Monaco to last season's Ligue 1 title and the Champions League semifinals, Fabinho has suffered a dip in form.

He has just two league goals compared to five at the same stage last season, with Monaco having already crashed out of European football, and said disappointment over a move falling through had affected him.

"During the transfer window and even in the month after, it was a difficult situation to handle," he added.

"I should have left, I didn't leave. But I'm not thinking about that any more -- the page has been turned.

"I'm focused on Monaco, but I know I'm not the Fabinho of last season. I'm not in a bad spell, but I'm not back to my best. I'm not able to do the same things as last season.

"In my head, I know I must do better, improve, help the team play better and win matches."

Atletico Madrid are also reported to be interested in signing him, but he said: "It's a possibility, but no one from Atletico has spoken to me or my agent.

"We're talking about the summer transfer window, but a lot of things can happen between now and then. I'll have to show that I have the level to play in teams like that. We'll talk about that in May."

Fabinho won the last of his four Brazil caps in May under Dunga, who was replaced as coach by Tite in June.

And he said he was unlikely to be in the squad for the World Cup even if he experienced a dramatic upturn in form and fortune.

"It's going to be difficult, because Brazil only has two friendly games before the World Cup," he added.

"The coach almost always picks the same players, and I'm not having as good a season. I already didn't get a chance when I was at my best with Monaco. There's a chance, but it's a small one."

^ Back to Top ^