Both Manchester United and Manchester City are reported to be interested in Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
According to a report in The Daily Star, rivals Manchester United and Manchester City could go head-to-head this summer for the signature of Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy.
The French defender, who is just 22-years-old, has played a major part in his sides push for their first Ligue 1 title for 17 years. And now, after guiding his side to the Champions League semi-finals, eyes are beginning to turn for the defender from some of England’s top clubs.
And with both Manchester sides arguably in need of a new left-back, it is perhaps unsurprising to see both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola’s sides linked with a summer move.
Despite being a key player under Louis van Gaal, Manchester United left-back appears to have fallen out of favourite under Mourinho at Old Trafford, and many expect the young England defender to depart Manchester in the summer.
With Shaw gone, United would need to attract a new, attack-minded full-back, and Benjamin Mendy could well be the perfect fit.
Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
Manchester City could also do with recruiting a new left-back this summer. Current defender Gael Clichy, who has been at City since 2011 since joining from Arsenal, could well be one of those players to head for the exit door this summer.
At 31, Clichy is potentially passing his best, and has notably lost a yard or two of pace recently. Perhaps Guardiola will opt for the youth option, by moving for 22-year-old Mendy.
After departing Marseille 2016, a club he made 81 appearances for, the young French defender has gone from strength to strength, and a move to a big club in England this summer is looking increasingly likely.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne in action with Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy
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