Gelson Martins completes loan move to Monaco

Gelson Martins has completed his move to Monaco on a season-long loan until the end of the season.

He joins the side who sit second bottom of Ligue 1, 3 points away from safety, and arrives at the same time as compatriot Leonardo Jardim, who returns to the club as manager after Thierry Henry was fired.

Newcastle were actively pursuing the Portuguese winger, who has found game time hard to come by since joining Atletico Madrid last summer.

Rafa Benitez was hoping to broker a deal that would see Newcastle part with 5 million euros in exchange for Gelson Martins for the rest of this campaign.

However, the Premier League outfit have been beaten to the signing of the pacey Portuguese international, who has instead joined relegation-threatened Monaco.

The move will also see Gelson link up with compatriot Rony Lopes.

Gelson should offer experience, explosiveness and creativity to Monaco’s ranks, which should prove vital if they are to avoid the dreaded drop this campaign.