Manchester City have agreed a fee of €57.5m (£52m) with Monaco for Benjamin Mendy, with the France international set for a medical this week ahead of his proposed move. Pep Guardiola had identified the 23-year-old left-back as one of his transfer priorities at the end of last season following the departure of Gaël Clichy but City saw three bids turned down for the player who only joined Monaco last season for £11m. Late interest from Chelsea, who have been so far frustrated in their attempts to sign Brazil international Alex Sandro from Juventus, prompted City to increase their offer for Mendy, meaning he will become the most expensive defender in history when the deal is complete. Born in Paris, Mendy came through Le Havre’s youth system before moving to Marseille in 2013. He made more than 100 appearances in three seasons before signing a five-year contract at Monaco last summer.

Source: The Guardian July 22, 2017 09:49 UTC