Pape Cabral will remain at AS Monaco after deciding against a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, despite the two sides reaching an agreement for a transfer worth an estimated €12m.
The 19-year-old midfielder had been close to completing the switch, but developments within Al-Ahli led to a change in circumstances. Cabral held a video call with the club before Al-Ahli’s sporting director was dismissed.
The player’s proposed transfer was subsequently taken over by the sporting director’s successor, amid a period of wider internal changes at the Saudi club. That instability ultimately contributed to Cabral choosing not to continue with the move.
Cabral is settled at Monaco and the France Under-19 international has opted to remain with the Ligue 1 club rather than accept Al-Ahli’s offer. His decision means he will continue his development in the Principality, where Monaco regard him as an important part of their plans.
Monaco’s leadership has backed the midfielder’s choice and remains committed to his long-term progression. Cabral recently agreed a contract extension with the club that will keep him at AS Monaco until 2031.
The proposed deal would have taken Cabral to Saudi Arabia after Monaco and Al-Ahli reached an understanding over the financial terms. However, the changes at Al-Ahli created uncertainty around the transfer at a crucial stage of negotiations.
Following the video conference involving Cabral, the departure of the Saudi club’s sporting director meant the agreement had to be reviewed by a new decision-maker. With the situation changing internally, Cabral decided that staying at Monaco was the best option for his career.
The midfielder’s continued presence also reflects Monaco’s desire to develop young talent within their squad. His new contract, signed shortly before the proposed move, had already demonstrated the club’s confidence in him and now provides the basis for his next stage at the club.
Cabral, aged 19, will therefore remain with AS Monaco rather than join Al-Ahli. The transfer, which had been estimated at €12m, will not go ahead after the France Under-19 player rejected the opportunity to move to Saudi Arabia.