Premier League outfit Crystal Palace were heavily linked with Lyon’s Ferland Mendy last year, now he’s reportedly wanted by La Liga giants Real Madrid.
A year ago this month, Sport claimed that Roy Hodgson was a big fan of flying full-back Ferland Mendy and wanted to bring him to Crystal Palace.
The highly-rated Frenchman had enjoyed a superb debut season at Lyon, earning a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season while showing that meeting his £5 million price-tag was an inspired bit of business.
Crystal Palace missed their chance then, however, and possibly forever.
Because, 12 months on, Marca claims that Mendy has emerged as a top target for Real Madrid this summer. Los Blancos have been linked with a whole host of left-backs but the report beleives Zinedine Zidane has decided that the 23-year-old is the one he wants.
Mendy, who has scored three times this season with his uber-attacking style drawing comparisons with Madrid legend Marcelo, is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £35 million.
And Crystal Palace must be kicking themselves. Yes, Hodgson can call upon the Dutch international Patrick Van Aanholt on the left of his defence but Mendy is a player who looks destined to reach the very top of the European game.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
