Monaco rival Madrid for Maniche
Monaco are still hopeful of beating Atletico Madrid to the signature of Maniche.
Monaco are still hopeful of beating Atletico Madrid and Thursday's transfer deadline to secure the signature of Maniche.
Ambitious Liga outfit Atletico were believed to be on the verge of agreeing the ‚é¼12 million (£8 million) transfer of the Dinamo Moscow midfielder, but a late hitch could allow Monaco to steal in.
With a question mark hanging over Atletico's financing of a possible deal, ASM coach Laszlo Boloni is eager to push ahead with his own side's bid for the former Chelsea midfielder, who so impressed for Portugal during the World Cup finals.
The club's general manager Marc Keller insists, though, that there is much work to be done on any proposed deal, and an announcement would not be made until late in the day.
"If Maniche signs for us, then it will be settled at the last minute," said Keller.
Meanwhile, the Principality outfit are also eyeing a move for Ajax's unsettled Czech Republic international Zdenek Grygera.
Monaco are on the lookout for a new right back and Grygera could fit the bill after expressing a desire to leave Ajax.
Grygera, who has also been linked with a move to Tottenham in recent weeks, has just one year remaining on his contract at The Amsterdam ArenA, and could be available for a knockdown fee.
