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AS Monaco are one of the oldest clubs to participate in Ligue 1. Founded in 1918, they have a long history of success and are easily one of the greatest clubs in France.
With several trophies to their name, Monaco have enjoyed many successful seasons in Ligue 1. It took 28 years since the commencement of Ligue 1 in 1933 for Monaco to win their first league title. However, they have gone on to win it seven more times with the latest being in the 2016-17 season where they dethroned PSG.
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They are also famous for the players they have produced throughout time. While Thiery Henry remains a prominent name in Monaco's history, the club has enjoyed a great bunch of talented players since the takeover in 2011.
As a result of which they rank sixth in the sales index from last decade having earned €988.60 million. Let's take a look at five of the greatest sales made in Monaco's history:
#5 Benjamin Mendy - €57.5 million
Benjamin Mendy played for Le Havre's academy and made his first-team debut in 2011. Along with playing in Ligue 2 for Le Havre, he occasionally appeared in their reserve team as well. In 2013, he completed his move to Marseille where he spent three years.
However, his spell there was only satisfactory. Playing for five managers during that period, Mendy could not settle on a particular style of play. But his talent had landed him a spot on the 40-man shortlist for the Golden Boy award.
After appearing 101 times for Marseille, he joined Monaco in 2016. The 27-year-old left-back impressed thoroughly and was an integral part of the team that won the league under Leonardo Jardim. Mendy's exploits did not go unnoticed as Manchester City signed him for €57.5 million the next season.
However, his career has gone off the rails after he was charged with rape and sexual assault earlier this year.
#4 Anthony Martial - €60 million
Anthony Martial spent his initial youth years at CO Les Ulis, the same club that produced legends like Thiery Henry and Patrick Evra. He was scouted by Lyon at a very young age, and made his professional debut for them at 17, a year after spending time with the reserves.
After making his professional debut, he was signed by Monaco in 2013. Skillful in speed, power and technique, Martial showcased his potential during the two-year stay at Les Monegasques. As a result, he became one of the hottest prospects of that time, falling under every club's radar.
In 2015, Manchester United signed him for €60 million, making him the most expensive teenager of the time. The same year he was also the winner of the Golden Boy award. Currently in his seventh season with the Red Devils, the 25-year-old forward has appeared 267 times, scoring 79 goals.
#3 Thomas Lemar - €72 million
The third-most-expensive sale in Monaco's history is of the 26-year-old midfielder. Thomas Lemar was part of Caen's youth system and he made his professional debut for them in 2013. The Frenchman helped his side get promoted to Ligue 1 in his second season, after which Monaco signed him for a fee of €4 million.
He immediately became an important part of the Monaco side and he even appeared 55 times in a season. He could play any position ranging from midfield to wing and his versatility grabbed attention from big clubs in 2017.
Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool's initial bids were turned down by the club. Arsenal, however, made an enormous second bid of €100 million, but the player was disinterested in a move to the Emirates Stadium.
In 2018, Atletico Madrid confirmed his signing from Monaco for a fee of €72 million. Notably, he won the La Liga title with the Spanish club last season.
#2 James Rodriguez - €75 million
James Rodriguez was one of the most expensive transfers for both Monaco and Real Madrid. Rodriguez became Colombia's youngest professional debutant in club football when he started for Envigado at the age of 14.
Moving to Argentina in 2008, he became a famous personality while playing for Banfield. Still a teenager, he scored a goal that made pundits liken him to the playing style of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He started getting attention from Europe and joined FC Porto in 2010. His progress rate kept rising and in 2013, Monaco made him their most expensive arrival.
A brilliant season there and an important 2014 World Cup display was enough for his dream to come true. The following year after Monaco signed him, Real Madrid completed his transfer for €75 million, making him one of the club's most expensive arrivals. He is currently playing for Al-Rayyan after his Everton spell ended in disappointment.
#1 Kylian Mbappe - €145 million
A player tipped to be the next big thing after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe is extremely talented and started off his football journey with Monaco. He made his professional debut for them in 2015 and has gone on to break many individual records.
However, it was the 2016-17 season that saw a breakthrough for the phenomenon. The same season, Monaco reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and also dethroned PSG for the Ligue 1 title. He quickly became a target for PSG and initially joined them on a loan deal.
It took a little bit of convincing as he was a Real Madrid fan and a huge admirer of Zinedine Zidane. However, he wouldn't get a regular spot there because of which he agreed to join PSG.
The French side then splashed €145 million to sign him from Monaco, making him the most expensive teenager and the second most expensive player in the world.
