Monaco’s Gelson Martins set for January departure

AS Monaco winger Gelson Martins (28) is set for a January departure, according to Foot Mercato. The Portuguese winger has been frozen out at the Principality club and hasn’t trained with the first team since the start of the season. 

Martins has not played for Les Monégasques this season. Not only that, he is no longer training with the first team and was not present in this season’s official club photo. He is a figure rarely seen, although he was present for Monaco’s 2-0 victory over Stade Brestois at the Stade Louis II earlier this month. 

Manager Adi Hütter confirmed in September that the club were looking to sell Martins. The Austrian was keen to trim the squad but added that the decision to sell the former Atletico Madrid winger was not his. “It was never my decision. It is an agreement between the club, Thiago (Scuro) and Gelson. I like the player, but we have to trim the squad. He knows that he has to leave the club,” he said at the time. 

The decision for Martins to train away from the first team was born out of an agreement between the player’s agent and the club. With Martins’ contract expiring in the summer, a departure in January is likely, according to Foot Mercato. Naturally, Monaco will not prevent a departure with a move to Saudi Arabia, or back to his native Portugal, being touted as the most likely options. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle