AS Monaco tell Man Utd that defensive target is not for sale

Manchester United defensive target Benoit Badiashile will be staying at AS Monaco for the forthcoming season after the club reportedly rejected a sizeable bid from Manchester United. 

Monaco boss Niko Kovac has made it clear that he has no plans to sell the highly-rated defender, and warned the Red Devils they'll be wasting their time with another bid.

United initially made a bid worth £22 million for Badiashile which Monaco promptly rejected. Kovac revealed his stance on the 19-year-old in an interview with Telefoot Chaine earlier this week. 

He said: "We do not want to sell him, that is very clear, he will stay here this season. I think that this is the best solution for him. 

“He has his club here, his family. He knows the environment. 

"Our aim is to take him to the next level,’ Monaco head coach Kovac told Telefoot Chaine this week.  

'‘If he plays a lot of matches with us in Ligue 1, which is a very good league, he will improve, that is certain." 

The news will be a blow to Manchester United who wanted the youngster to add some pace to United's back-four.

United boss Solskjaer saw Badiashile as a potential new long-term defensive partner to captain Harry Maguire. The club plan to mount an assault for the title next season, but questions still remain over the abilities of Victor Lindelof and the fitness of Eric Bailly. 

Napoli's Kaidou Koulibaly remains an alternative, but Manchester United do not want to pay his massive £70 million asking price. 

Badiashile is regarded as of of France's hottest young prospects and has attracted interests from some of Europe's biggest clubs including Real Madrid and Chelsea. 

Aware of his rising value, Monaco awarded him with a new contract in December that will keep him at the club until 2024. 

According to the French media, Monaco informed Manchester United that it would take an Anthony Martial-like offer to convince them to part with Badiashile this summer.  

Martial became the most expensive teenager in the history of football back in 2015 as he swapped Monaco for Old Trafford in a massive £36 million deal with add-ons to take the fee to almost £60 million.

Featured image credits- 90Min