France

Monaco Forward Licata In Discussions With Auxerre

Something of a revelation this season, Monaco forward Alexandre Licata may yet be allowed to depart the Stade Louis II as AJ Auxerre are in search of a forward capable of scoring.

Jan 21, 2009 9:35:10 AM

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Ligue 1 : Alexandre Licata (AS Monaco)

Teams

Players

Alexandre Licata

Unceremoniously dumped to SC Bastia in Ligue 2 last season there appeared to be little future for 25-year-old striker Alexandre Licata at Monaco. A meagre tally of four goals in 26 matches with the Corsican side did not help his cause any, however, head coach Ricardo stuck by his man and has been rewarded with six goals this term.

Only called into the side against Grenoble in week four of the season, when he would make his Ligue 1 debut, Licata has since shot to the top of Monaco’s goal scoring charts.

Yet the goal-shy side from the south of France may be willing to offload the Grenoble-born forward to Auxerre, whose goal scoring prowess is even more feeble than their own. Licata admitted that talks have already taken place when he gave an interview to Mercato365.

“There are several clubs interested,” he smiled. “For now I am still Monegasque… I have held discussions with the Auxerre leaders. In particular, I spoke to president Jean Claude Hamel, who informed me of his interest. But nothing has been done; he simply explained his project. My agent met with the Monegasque leaders last Friday to discuss my situation.”

Licata’s contract is due to expire in June and he is clearly keen for a renewal. “My agent has met with the management,” he candidly stated. “The club really wants to keep me. They should offer me something in the coming days. This is good news, I’m happy. I hope it will happen.”

After an unhappy spell on the Rock, when he failed to break into the first team for three seasons, Licata is now relishing being relied upon and is flourishing in front of goal. If Monaco were to lose their tenacious hitman, they would certainly lose an important dimension to their offence, however, their loss could be Auxerre’s gain.

--Robin Bairner, Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!