Monaco beat Chelsea to Aleksandr Golovin transfer as Ligue 1 club confirm signing of Russia star

Monaco have completed the signing of Chelsea target Aleksandr Golovin from CSKA Moscow.

The Blues held talks with the 22-year-old earlier in the window but former Stamford Bridge transfer guru Michael Emenalo, who quit Chelsea in November 2017, persuaded Golovin to instead join Monaco.

The Russia international has signed a five-year deal at Stade Louis II.

He said: "I am very happy to sign at AS Monaco. This is a new adventure for me that I approach with a lot of ambitions. I am now very much looking forward to meeting the staff and my new teammates and to get going."

Monaco chief Vadim Vasilyev revealed the club have been monitoring Golovin for some time and believes the midfielder is now at the best place for his development.

He added: "He already has solid experience in Russian first division and internationally. Despite the competition of very large European clubs, Aleksandr has chosen the sporting project of AS Monaco, which will offer him the best conditions to continue his progress. "