Monaco keep their kids close
Second in Ligue 1. A squad almost untouched after the transfer window closed. Filipe Luis has not had much to grumble about lately.
He has one more reason now, though. According to Foot Mercato, four players from Monaco’s academy are set to sign their first professional contracts in the next few hours.
ASM’s youth system has nothing left to prove on this front. It just keeps producing.
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Benzahra has already seen Anfield
Melvin Gomes leads the way. A centre-back who can also slide over to the right, he is taking the natural next step.
Safouane Benzahra follows. The 19-year-old Dutch-Moroccan midfielder arrived in summer 2025 on a trainee deal. After a strong pre-season, he found himself at Anfield in the 3-2 win over Liverpool. Since then, he has featured in the Conference League play-off against Gornik Zabrze and stepped out at Parc des Princes in Ligue 1.
Nahel Haddani makes up the trio. The 17-year-old forward was also brought in during the 2025 post-academy campaign.
Najd Ajroud is the one everyone is watching
The fourth name is the one causing the buzz inside the club. Najd Ajroud is about to sign a three-year deal.
A pure left-footer, an attacking midfielder, all silk and touch. He was the hub of the U19 side in 2025-2026, finishing with 10 goals and 10 assists in 33 matches. He is also a local lad.
Filipe Luis gave him an early look, starting him in the first two friendlies of the summer against AS Saint-Priest and Cercle Bruges. His game has echoes of Maghnes Akliouche, which tells you plenty about the expectations around him. France U19 have already called him up, too.
The hard part starts now. A pro deal at Monaco does not promise anything. Plenty have taken this step on the Rock before him.
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