Pep Guardiola is eyeing Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy as a long-term option for Manchester City at left-back, according to reports in Spain.
Joao Cancelo has been Guardiola’s first-choice left-back in recent seasons.
Oleksandr Zinchenko often played there whenever Cancelo was given a rest, however, the Ukrainian signed for Arsenal last summer.
Sergio Gomez was brought in to provide depth at left-back following Zinchenko’s departure.
While Cancelo has been outstanding in left-back, it would be no surprise to see City bring in a natural left-back.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid are willing to sell Mendy and City are keen.
The report actually starts off by saying clubs like City and Paris Saint-Germain are ‘contaminating’ football with their huge transfer funds. Ironic? Probably.
Journalist Ivan Martin reportedly said: “Manchester City is waiting for the defender, while his situation is not evolving in the offices, in the squad he is a fixture for Carlo Ancelotti.”
Madrid are not ruling out the departure of Mendy – ‘as long as a good economic offer arrives’ which ‘convinces all parties’.
Mendy is being ‘sought by the Citizens’ and news of Madrid’s willingness to let him leave is quite surprising.
The 27-year-old has played 18 matches across all competitions this term and is a consistent starter under Carlo Ancelotti.
He played the full 90 minutes of Los Blancos’ La Liga win at Real Vallodolid on Friday evening.
Mendy was also an integral part of the club’s success in the Champions League in 2021-22.
Foot Mercato have reported that Newcastle United are keen on signing Mendy.
The Magpies brought in Matt Targett on a permanent basis last summer and also have Jamal Lewis at the club, though Mendy would clearly be a huge upgrade on those two, respectively.
Newcastle ‘are very interested’ and have already made a ‘very big offer’ to sign the Frenchman, while City’s interest ‘cannot be confirmed’ by the French outlet.
The report states that Ancelotti ‘appreciates’ Mendy with a contract extension not ruled out. His current deal expires in 2025.
An alternative to Mendy for City is Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri, according to Calciomercatoweb.
Guardiola ‘likes’ Ait-Nouri ‘a lot’, though Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro is also an option, states Fichajes.
Juventus are said to be keen on both of these players. Their first-choice left-back is currently Alex Sandro.
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