Monaco's French Midfielder Seals £25m Inter Milan Move

Inter may have been struggling recently but this signing should have them a real boost.

By Matthew Wear /

Geoffrey Kondogbia, who has been a target for almost every club in Europe this transfer window, has sealed a £25 million move to Italian giants Inter Milan. The 22-year-old has agreed a five-year contract at the San Siro, and Roberto Mancini will be hoping Kondogbia can bring steel to an inconsistent Inter side who finished a disappointing eighth place in Serie A last season. The Frenchman had been targeted by Arsenal this summer after impressing in Monaco's elimination of the Gunners in last season's Champions League round of 16. Kondogbia scored the opening goal at the Emirates in the first-leg, giving Leonardo Jardim's men a 3-1 away win. However, it all seems to have turned sour in the principality, with Jardim saying only seven first-team players will be staying at the club - and Kondogbia obviously wasn't on the list. Since joining Monaco from Sevilla in August 2013, the midfield powerhouse has helped Monaco to second and third place finishes in Ligue 1, both leading to Champions League qualification. Kondogbia took to his Twitter page to thank Monaco for his two-year stint at the club:
"I would like to thank Monaco for two great years filled with emotion. Special mentions go to Claudio Ranieri, Leonardo Jardim, my teammates, Mr Vasilyev and Mr Rybolovlev (Monaco's owners)."
It is still in the balance whether or not Kondogbia will be partnered in defensive-midfield by Manchester City's Yaya Toure, who is rumoured to be looking for way out of Eastlands, and Mancini will be more than happy to be reunited with the 32-year-old Ivorian.