Wednesday, 28th August, 2013
Sevilla will be raking in a huge profit when Geoffrey Kondogbia's sale to Monaco goes through, but France Under-20 coach Pierre Mankowski believes he is worth every penny.
Kondogbia was brought over from Lens last year for a reported €3.5m, and will now leave for Monaco after the French club agreed to meet the €20m release clause.
Even after the Doyen group take in half the amount – owning half the player's rights – Sevilla will be pleased with their financial nous.
President Jose Maria del Nido played his part well, rejecting any notion of negotiations and forcing Monaco to heel.
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The extraordinary amount makes sense for Mankowski, though, who watched Kondogbia grow into a world-class player, culminating in the Under-20 World Cup triumph with France.
"Geo will have to fight [for his place] but he got there in Seville, so I'm not worried", Mankowski told L'Equipe. "For a team at Monaco's high level, it is important to have several solutions in the middle.
"Geo is a complete player who has a lot of versatility. He can play excellently in the defensive area, and can also make a difference in attack.
"He is effective in the last thirty [yards] where, with just one pass or shot, he can make all the difference."
Kondogbia earned his first France senior cap this year in a friendly against Belgium earlier this month, while he turned out 31 times in La Liga last season.
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