Deal-maker Mendes keeping Monaco ahead of the game

Mendes first came to public prominence when negotiating for Jose Mourinho in the 2004 deal that took the then-Porto coach to Chelsea for the first time, but he had already been laying the groundwork for his success well before then.

He had built an impressive portfolio of young players who had graduated from Sporting Clube de Portugal’s revered academy including Hugo Viana – whose record €12m (Dh57.6m) transfer to Newcastle United he brokered in 2002 – and Cristiano Ronaldo.

His recipe for success is a beguiling one. With every contact in his little black book that you could possibly need, Mendes pledges to make his clients extremely rich, but also inspires considerable loyalty.

Many of the players he represents consider him to be a member of the family. Ronaldo – whom he represented in his moves to Manchester United and Real Madrid – even made Mendes godfather to his son, Cristiano Jr.

So it is little wonder that he has been able to help Monaco chief Dmitry Rybolovlev begin to build a team of jaw-dropping talent for their return to Ligue 1 in double-quick time.

Mendes’ connection with Porto is again proving profitable, having picked up Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez during their time at the Dragao and officially adding Joao Moutinho to his stable in April.

Mendes’ man: Radamel Falcao.

It is not the first time that Mendes has been used by a club as the main reference point for team building with UAE’s Al Ahli retaining close links to the agent. Recent boss Quique Sanchez Flores, star man Ricardo Quaresma and recent signing Hugo Viana are all represented by Mendes.

Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna also took a plethora of Mendes-managed players (nine) and even a Portuguese head coach (Domingos Paciencia) last season as they attempted to consolidate their place in La Liga on a limited budget.

Deportivo president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro denied Mendes had been given a formal brief by the club, but the agent’s influence was clear. 

Watching the euro cents is clearly not, however, an issue for Monaco. Mendes could provide plenty more for them, with Fabio Coentrao and Angel di Maria possibly available – and who knows what the long-term future holds for Ronaldo, even?

With Rybolovlev’s ability and willingness to meet the highest of buyout clauses, Monaco promises to be a very nice earner, even for a man as wealthy as Mendes.

* Andy Brassell is a writer and broadcaster on European football for the BBC, ESPN, The Independent & Talksport among others. You can follow him on Twitter: @andybrassell

READ MORE:

– FEATURE: How Russian money has rebuilt failing Monaco

 

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.