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Cape Town - AS Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev has revealed the club
had an offer for a top Premier League player, believed to be Wayne
Rooney, rejected.
The Principality club have been notorious spenders over the past two seasons as they attempted to cement their top-flight status in France and return to the Champions League.
And Vasilyev admitted that the club had been keen to sign Rooney in the off-season, and while a move may not have materialised, he remains confident of bringing the striker to Monaco sooner rather than later.
"One year ago, we were discussing one of the top players of the Premier League, a top English player," Vasilyev told reporters.
"But it was on the table. This opportunity finally did not happen, but I think one day that it will come, that it will happen."
Much has been made of Les Rouge et Blanc's financial status in recent months, with James Rodriguez heading for Real Madrid, while Radamel Falcao was loaned to Manchester United.
However, Vasilyev insists that the aim remains to win Ligue 1 eventually, after they managed to finish second in the league on their first attempt after gaining promotion from Ligue 2.
"I wouldn’t really compare Monaco to any other club," he added. "Our ambition is eventually to win the title of French champions. This is true. I will not give you a time frame, but we would like to do it as soon as possible.
"We would like to be one of the clubs that plays regularly in the Champions League. I think we can play an important role on the European scene."
The Principality club have been notorious spenders over the past two seasons as they attempted to cement their top-flight status in France and return to the Champions League.
And Vasilyev admitted that the club had been keen to sign Rooney in the off-season, and while a move may not have materialised, he remains confident of bringing the striker to Monaco sooner rather than later.
"One year ago, we were discussing one of the top players of the Premier League, a top English player," Vasilyev told reporters.
"But it was on the table. This opportunity finally did not happen, but I think one day that it will come, that it will happen."
Much has been made of Les Rouge et Blanc's financial status in recent months, with James Rodriguez heading for Real Madrid, while Radamel Falcao was loaned to Manchester United.
However, Vasilyev insists that the aim remains to win Ligue 1 eventually, after they managed to finish second in the league on their first attempt after gaining promotion from Ligue 2.
"I wouldn’t really compare Monaco to any other club," he added. "Our ambition is eventually to win the title of French champions. This is true. I will not give you a time frame, but we would like to do it as soon as possible.
"We would like to be one of the clubs that plays regularly in the Champions League. I think we can play an important role on the European scene."
