Benjamin Mendy could be a Manchester City player sooner rather than later, after Monaco signed what appears to be his replacement.
Mendy only joined his current club last summer from Marseille, and like many of his team-mates, he enjoyed a fine 2016-17 campaign in which he helped Leonardo Jardim’s side win the league title and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The 22-year-old played 39 times in all competitions, scoring one goal and assisting in 11 more.
Pep Guardiola is keen to sign at least two top-class fullbacks ahead of the new season, and it looks as though Mendy could soon arrive to fill the left sided role after Monaco paid £13million for Feyenoord’s Terence Kongolo. The 23-year-old Holland international is widely considered to be a direct replacement for the current incumbent at Stade Louis II, who is now set for City.
The Etihad Stadium club, who have already paid Monaco £43million for playmaker Bernardo Silva, are expected to further line the pockets of the Ligue 1 champions to the tune of £35million. And Mendy will be joined in Manchester by right fullback Dani Alves, who had his Juventus contract terminated by mutual consent last week and will join Guardiola’s squad on a free transfer.
City also remain interested in Alexis Sanchez, who is in the final 12 months of his contract at Arsenal. The Gunners would naturally prefer to tie the Chile international to a new deal or, failing that, sell him abroad where Bayern Munich have shown an interest. The striker, though, is thought to be keen to remain in England, and the Blues are prepared to pay £50million for the 28-year-old.
