Marcos Lopes joins AS Monaco for £9m

Portuguese youngster signs five year deal at Ligue 1 club

Midfielder Marcos Lopes has joined A.S. Monaco for £9m, in a five year deal. The Portuguese youngster was vaunted as one of the brightest prospects in City's academy, but sought regular first-team football following a succesful loan spell at Lille last season.

Lopes only had 12 months remaining on his contract, and City have decided to cash in now rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next summer. His progress to the first team had been hindered by the signing of Raheem and the imminent transfer of Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg.

Lopes made his debut for City in January 2013, scoring a late goal against Watford in the FA Cup in a 3-0 victory. He went on to make five appearances in total for the Blues.