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Monaco splash out €70m on Moutinho, Rodríguez

Friday, May 24, 2013

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AS Monaco FC have wasted little time strengthening for their return to the French top flight, paying FC Porto €70m for midfielder João Moutinho and forward James Rodríguez.

João Moutinho (left) and James Rodríguez will team up again at Monaco
João Moutinho (left) and James Rodríguez will team up again at Monaco ©AFP/Getty Images

In a statement of intent ahead of their return to Ligue 1, AS Monaco FC have signed João Moutinho and James Rodríguez from FC Porto for a combined fee of €70m.

Both players have agreed a five-year contract with the principality club, who were relegated from the French top flight in 2011. Former Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder Moutinho, 26, and ex-CA Banfield forward Rodríguez were key men in Porto pipping SL Benfica to the Liga title this season, the Dragons' third successive championship triumph.

The fee for 21-year-old Colombia striker Rodríguez, €45m, accounts for the majority of Monaco's vast outlay. The pair arrived at the Estádio do Dragão in summer 2010, winning, aside from a hat-trick of Liga crowns, the Portuguese Cup, Super Cup and 2011 UEFA Europa League.

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