The new 'Prince' of Monaco

DMITRY RYBOLOVLEM, INTENT ON USURPING PSG

Real and Barça have a new and tough competitor in so far as new signings are concerned: Dmitry Rybolovlev (Perm, 1966). In December 2011, the Russian tycoon forked out €100 million for a 66.7% stake in Monaco and now, having helped the team in its return to 'Ligue 1', is prepared to throw caution to the wind. Money isn't an issue.According to the Forbes list, his fortune is valued at €7,000 million. This cardiologist set up an investment fund in 1992 and got rich on the privatisation of companies in the times of Perestroika. Some speak highly of his philanthropy; whilst others accuse him of planning the assassination of Eugenia Panteleimon, the manager of a company in which Rybolovlev had a 40% shareholding. After spending 11 months in prison, he was released due to lack of evidence.Rybolovlev, who is divorced with two children, bought Donald Trump's mansion in Palm Beach for 95 million dollars. He also paid the most anyone has ever paid for an apartment in New York, namely $88 million. Plus, his art collection includes works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet... His daughter Ekaterina is following in his footsteps.Having taken control of Monaco, which was bottom of the second division in France, Rybolovlev's aims were clear: to make the club champion of the French league - Monaco having won the last of its seven titles in 2000 - and emulate the team that finished runners up in the 2004 Champions League.The Uruguayan defender Gary Kagelmacher, formerly of 'Castilla', is witnessing Monaco's resurgence first hand. "The chairman has a very ambitious project in mind. His next challenge is to take the title off PSG and do well in the Champions League."