90min

Luis Campos' Most Profitable Pieces of Transfer Business - Ranked

By Adam McGroarty

Campos is has made huge profits on sales at Lille and Monaco
Campos is has made huge profits on sales at Lille and Monaco / Xavier Laine/Getty Images
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Lille OSC's Director of Football Luis Campos has previously been described as a 'transfer genius' who has been responsible for overseeing the development of some of the biggest stars in the game.

Campos became Monaco's Director of Football in 2013, where he was primarily responsible for assembling the team that brought the Ligue 1 title back to the principality club for the first time in 17 years.

Not only did he help assemble a team capable of winning things, he earned Monaco mega bucks in profit when they eventually decided to cash-in. Now, the 55-year-old is working similar wonders at Lille - with Victor Osimhen's imminent big-money move to Napoli the latest in a long line of sizeable deals that Campos has played some part in.

Here, 90min ranks his best bits of business by the amount of profit made from eventual player sales.

7. Tiémoué Bakayoko (Monaco)

Bakayoko has returned to Monaco on loan from Chelsea
Bakayoko has returned to Monaco on loan from Chelsea / Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Profit Made: £28.8m

Initially bought from Stade Rennais for £7.2m, Bakayoko was sold to Chelsea for £36m in 2017 after putting in a string of impressive performances for Monaco.

Since those heady days, though, he's failed to settle in the Premier League - and has since been farmed out on loan to AC Milan and back to Monaco.

6. Bernardo Silva (Monaco)

Silva has won two Premier League titles since joining Manchester City
Silva has won two Premier League titles since joining Manchester City / GENYA SAVILOV/Getty Images

Profit Made: £30.8m

Following a successful loan spell with Monaco, Bernardo Silva was purchased on a permanent basis from Benfica for £14.2m in January 2015.

Just one and a half seasons later, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City came calling - prizing the Portuguese superstar away from the clutches of Ligue 1 for a hefty £45m.

Silva is now one of the most consistent players in the world, and is a shining example of money exceptionally well spent.

5. Fabinho (Monaco)

Fabinho joined Monaco in 2015
Fabinho joined Monaco in 2015 / Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Profit Made: £35.1m

Bought for just £5.4m from Rio Ave FC, versatile midfielder Fabinho made Monaco a healthy profit when he joined Liverpool for £40.5m in 2018.

The Brazilian midfielder has since become a rock at the base of Jurgen Klopp's midfield, protecting the backline with relentless efficiency, as well as demonstrating a keen eye for a long-range cannon.

Fabinho's resumé now includes a Premier League and Champions League winner, and he's worth at least double the amount Liverpool paid.

4. Benjamin Mendy (Monaco)

Mendy was one of the last hallmark signings Campos made at Monaco
Mendy was one of the last hallmark signings Campos made at Monaco / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Profit Made: £40.05m

The flamboyant Frenchman joined Monaco in 2016 from Marseille for a fee of £11.7m, soon forging a reputation for himself as one of the most feared attacking full-backs in Europe.

With Manchester City desperately looking for quality in that area, Mendy was then on his way to the north west for £51.75m. Injuries have slowed is progress, but his accomplishments include two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.

3. Anthony Martial (Monaco)

Martial had only played eight minutes for Lyon when Campos signed him
Martial had only played eight minutes for Lyon when Campos signed him / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Profit Made: £49.5m

After moving to Monaco from Lyon for just £4.5m, Martial completed a move to Manchester United worth a total £54m just two seasons later - even though he was still a teenager.

The Frenchman - who wears the number nine shirt at Old Trafford - has become a key part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans after struggling to find consistency in the early part of his Red Devils career, helping fire United back into the Champions League.

2. Thomas Lemar (Monaco)

Campos was key to signing Lemar for little over £3m
Campos was key to signing Lemar for little over £3m / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Profit Made: £59.4m

After signing from SM Caen for just £3.6m, Lemar played a pivotal role in Monaco's title winning campaign in 2016/17.

The Frenchman's electric form earned him a mega-money £63m move to Atletico Madrid in 2018, but things have gone a bit pear shaped for Lemar under the tutelage of Diego Simeone.

On his day, Lemar is too hot to handle for most defences - and has plenty of time to turn things around in the Spanish capital.

1. Nicolas Pepe (Lille)

Profit Made: £63m

After joining Lille in 2017, Campos immediately set his sights on bringing Pepe to the club.

The Ivorian had only scored three goals and contributed one assist for SCO Angers in 2016/17, but a £9m move was sanctioned nevertheless. From there, Pepe hasn't looked back - flourishing in Ligue 1 to earn a whopping £72m move to Arsenal.

Like Lemar, he's yet to show his best form in his new surroundings - but has plenty of time to settle down and deliver the goods.