Monaco set to complete the signing of Braga wonderkid and Gestifute client Bruno Xadas as they continue their Portuguese trend
Monaco are set to complete the signing of yet another Jorge Mendes client as Braga's 20-year old highly rated forward Xadas is to join the French outfit for a fee in the region of 25 million euros.
The deal will see approximately 15 million euros go directly to the Portuguese club, while the remaining 10 million is expected to go Gestifute, who own 40% of the player's pass. While a heavily reduced fee for the club itself, 15 million euros will still represent a significant financial windfall for Braga, especially after their disastrous showing in the Europa League this season, where they were knocked out in the third qualifying round.
Xadas is highly rated on Portuguese shores; despite being only 20 years of age, he was given the number 10 shirt for Braga, and has already played 27 times for the club in the Primeira Liga, chipping in with two goals and three assists in the process.
His most notable goal was found in October of last year, where he took the ball down and smashed it into the roof of the net from the edge of the box as Braga thumped Moreirense 6-0 at the Quarry.
And he's an incredible talent, particularly considering his age; capable of playing on the right wing or just behind the striker, Xadas, who possesses a good deal of pace, likes to get on the last line of defence and break through on goal, while also being an excellent dribbler of the ball, using his footballing intelligence and awareness to take players on with a great deal of success. This, added to his technical ability and passing and crossing range, makes him something of an all-rounder and his potential is clear for all to see.
He has, however, found game time more difficult to come by in recent weeks. Competing with the far more experienced Ricardo Esgaio for a starting spot, Xadas' minutes on the field have reduced, and towards the end of last season was limited to anything from a 5 minute to a 25 minute cameo at the end of the game, often not even coming off the bench such was the talent currently at Abel Ferreira's disposal.
With that in mind, a move to Monaco may seem to soon for the young star, and whether he will be able to crack the match day squad - let alone the starting lineup - remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, Xadas follows several other Portuguese players to make the trip to Monaco in recent years, following the likes of attacking duo Rony Lopes and Bernardo Silva, Wolves-bound quartet Ivan Cavaleiro, Helder Costa, Joao Moutinho and Ruben Vinagre, veteran centreback Ricardo Carvalho, and even manager Leonardo Jardim.
