Lucas Ocampos close to finalising Monaco switch - report

09/08/2012 9:13:00 AM

The highly-rated Argentine youngster could complete his transfer to European football in the coming days after River Plate reportedly accepted an offer from the Ligue 2 team

Monaco are close to completing the signing of River Plate's promising teenager Lucas Ocampos in a deal worth €16m, according to ESPN Deportes.

The Quilmes-born midfielder only turned 18 last month but has already been linked with moves to many of Europe's elite clubs, including Roma and Barcelona.

However, it appears that Ligue 2 outfit Monaco are close to completing a surprise capture of the starlet after making Los Millonarios an acceptable offer starting at €14m. According to the report, he and his agent, Pablo Sabag, met with an envoy sent by the club to negotiate the transfer.

River only hold 50 per cent of Ocampos' economic rights and, alongside two potential bonus payments of €1m when the Argentine plays 10 games and a second should he make all 10 appearances this season, they only stand to take €8m of the fee.

His former club Quilmes will receive €2.4m for training him as a youth while €5.6m will go to the remaining owners of the player's rights.

Ocampos made his first appearance in Argentina's top flight last weekend in the 2-1 defeat to Belgrano but was instrumental in the club's promotion last season.

He will apparently not train with his team-mates again or face Estudiantes at the weekend as the transfer looks set to be completed in the coming days.