Monaco grand spree

Moutinho and Rodriguez join mega-money French side

MEGA-MONEY Monaco have splashed the cash to sign Porto duo Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez.The French outfit, who are bankrolled by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, have only just won promotion back to Ligue 1.But they have shown the footballing world they mean business by landing two of the hottest properties in Portuguese football.Both players have signed five-year contracts in a deal worth around £60million.Portuguese playmaker Moutinho, 26, has been trailed by Premier League duo Tottenham and Chelsea since last year.While Colombian forward Rodriguez, 21, was linked with a big-money move to Manchester United in the past.The spree proves Monaco are keen to become one of the major players in world football, alongside fellow French big-spenders PSG.The Monte Carlo-based team have also been linked with a colossal bid for Atletico Madrid’s Colombian hitman Falcao.