AS Monaco could allow 19-year-old midfielder Pape Cabral to leave for Al Ahli in the coming days, with the Saudi Pro League club reportedly in advanced discussions over a deal worth about €10m, according to L’Equipe.
The potential transfer would be a surprise because Cabral has only recently extended his Monaco contract until June 2031. The France-born Senegal international youth player is regarded as a developing talent, but his future at the Ligue 1 club has now become uncertain amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
A move could be completed quickly because the transfer window in Saudi Arabia remains open after deadlines have passed in several European leagues. That gives Al Ahli and Monaco additional time to negotiate and potentially reach an agreement for the midfielder.
Cabral’s departure has not been ruled out by Monaco’s hierarchy. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the club’s chief executive, Thiago Scuro, indicated that players other than Lamine Camara and Folarin Balogun could still leave during the final stages of the transfer window.
Camara and Balogun had been the main Monaco players linked with moves as the window approached its conclusion, but Cabral now appears to be among those whose situation could change before the Saudi deadline.
His omission from Monaco’s squad for Sunday’s match against Olympique de Marseille has added to the speculation. Monaco won that game 2-0, but Cabral was not included in the group selected for the fixture.
The midfielder’s current market value is estimated at €1.2m by Transfermarkt. If Monaco were to secure a fee of around €10m, the sale would represent a significant financial return for the club, particularly given that Cabral has just committed his future to the French side until June 2031.
The proposed deal would therefore combine an unexpected sporting decision with a potentially lucrative piece of business for Monaco. Cabral’s contract extension suggested the club viewed him as part of its longer-term plans, yet Al Ahli’s interest could lead to a change in those plans before the transfer window closes in Saudi Arabia.
Monaco are due to play their third Ligue 1 match of the season against Paris Saint-Germain next. Betting odds listed for that fixture give Monaco a price of 6.60 to win, with a draw at 5.20 and a Paris Saint-Germain victory at 1.36.
Those figures reflect the bookmakers’ assessment of the match, but the focus around Monaco is currently on whether Cabral will remain with the squad or become the latest player to leave the club for Saudi Arabia.