Monaco’s strange apathy at the start of the transfer window

Betclic ELITE - As of July 13, AS Monaco has only announced one signing, Kevarrius Hayes, and two departures, Mam' Jaiteh and Vitto Brown. An unusual discretion for the Roca Team, while its rivals are moving forward with their rosters for 2025-2026.

By@Gabriel Pantel-Jouve

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Monaco’s strange apathy at the start of the transfer window

Photo Credit : Julie Dumélié

AS Monaco isn’t the type to let a summer pass without making strong moves in the transfer market. But on July 13, 2025, the Principality club is showing surprising discretion. One recruit, two departures, and many unconfirmed rumors: the Roca Team seems out of sync, despite an announced budget increase and a EuroLeague finalist position.

A quiet summer for the Roca Team

Kevarrius Hayes (2.06 m, 28 years). That’s the only signing officially announced by AS Monaco to date. A solid interior reinforcement but one that contrasts with the club’s usual summer market activity. Meanwhile, Mam Jaiteh’s departure to Dubai BC and Vitto Brown‘s move to Besiktas have been confirmed. And then… nothing.

A striking contrast with previous years, when the Roca Team typically announced several major moves as early as June. Meanwhile, other European powerhouses are moving forward. Real Madrid, Paris, Milan, and Dubai are multiplying announcements, consolidating their base for 2025-2026.

Monaco, however, wasn’t caught off guard. Alpha Diallo’s extension had been anticipated. The club had even announced a budget increase of around 10% in Nice Matin, proving their ambition remains intact, despite a paradoxical season: reaching their first EuroLeague final, but winning no trophies.

Tensions and uncertainties behind the scenes

So why this restraint? The club’s financial situation remains unclear. Many agents are still waiting for their commission… from the 2024-2025 season. A context that certainly complicates discussions for new signings or contract terminations.

For example, the cases of Nick Calathes and Donatas Motiejunas haven’t been resolved. Both could leave the club, but their contractual situations remain unclear. Georgios Papagiannis only signed for one season. And no official announcement has been made about him. Rumors have also circulated about Daniel Theis‘s desire to leave, but without serious foundation or credible source, while the German world champion has a second contract year at 2.2 million euros, despite troublesome knees.

The quest for a French interior player, despite Makoundou…

Finally, one of the great unfinished quests of Monaco’s summer concerns a French interior player. The Roca Team has inquired about many French centers, for example, pushing hard for Bodian Massa, who ultimately chose ASVEL.

An obsession for a French interior player that might surprise given that AS Monaco already had one in their ranks, Yoan Makoundou, who completed two solid seasons on loan with Podgorica and Ankara. « Whoever signs him will get one hell of a warrior, » Mike James tweeted in May. The French international is officially still tied to the Principality club for an additional year but is strongly rumored to be joining FC Barcelona for 2025-2026. Moreover, AS Monaco never checked in on him during the past season, showing their low interest in the former Cholet player.

A well-filled roster but questions remain

It would be exaggerated to speak of a crisis at Monaco. The club already has about a dozen players under contract (11 plus Makoundou, Calathes and Motiejunas), enough to approach pre-season without excessive stress. But doubts persist, particularly around Mike James. Retained at President Aleksej Fedorycsev’s request, the American point guard remains at the center of internal balances… and possible tensions.

The question is whether Monaco is waiting for the right moment to strike, or if structural blockages are really slowing its progress in the market. One thing is certain: the coming weeks will need to be much more active for the Roca Team to play a leading role in EuroLeague again.

Monaco’s roster at this stage:

Point guards: Mike James, Matthew Strazel and Nick Calathes (?)

Shooting guards: Elie Okobo and Jordan Loyd

Wings: Alpha Diallo, Terry Tarpey and Juhann Begarin

Power forwards: Jaron Blossomgame and Petr Cornelie

Centers: Daniel Theis, Kevarrius Hayes and Donatas Motiejunas (?)

Yoan Makoundou is under contract until 2026 but should join FC Barcelona

Gabriel Pantel-Jouve

Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.