Monaco’s €5 million gamble on Nazinho exploits common owner

Nazinho has signed a four‑year contract with AS Monaco worth €5 million, completing his transfer from Belgian side Cercle Brugge, the club confirmed on Tuesday. The 22‑year‑old Portugal U21 left‑back joins the Principality club after a season of 32 appearances, three goals and eight assists for Cercle Brugge.

Caio Henrique left AS Monaco after four years at the club, swapping Ligue 1 for the Eredivisie with Ajax Amsterdam. His move to Ajax was valued at up to €14 million, bonuses included, Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, a factor that smoothed Nazinho’s transfer. The shared ownership also allowed Monaco to act ahead of reported interest from Bundesliga clubs.

The Portugal U21 international featured in 32 matches across all competitions for Cercle Brugge last season. He contributed three goals, eight assists overall and added four assists in six play‑off fixtures.

Nazinho’s new contract runs for four years, extending to the summer of 2030. The deal, valued at €5 million, was confirmed by GFFN, with Luke Entwistle reporting the details.

Monaco’s recruitment underscores a broader trend of French clubs leveraging cross‑border ownership to secure emerging talent. The €5 million fee reflects Monaco’s willingness to invest modest sums for players with proven assist records. The move comes as Ligue 1 clubs remain active in the market despite interest from other European leagues.