"I was advised not to join Real Madrid"

Monaco’s newest recruit, Geoffrey Kondogbia, who joined from Sevilla, stated that he did not join Real Madrid because the move did not meet the necessary requirements and because he was advised against it.

Real showed an interest in the Under-20 World Cup winner back in April, but Kondogbia signed for Ranieri’s Monaco and will play alongside Falcao, Abidal and Carvalho. "When the opportunity arose, the conditions surrounding the move weren’t right. In addition, I spoke to several people who understand football very well and they told me that it was risky for me to join Real," the player said in an interview published in L’Equipe.

Kondogbia, who joined Monaco for €20m, believes that his performances for Sevilla last season were "outstanding" and his sole regret is that he only scored one goal: "I would have just liked to score more goals, but I’m reserved."