Monaco flyer Benjamin Mendy is expected to cost just short of £30 million if he moves to the Premier League – bad luck Sunderland.
As if it wasn’t bad enough that Sunderland rejected the chance to sign Champions League winner and two-time La Liga champion Ivan Rakitic for just £380,000, as reported by The Chronicle, it seems they also failed to secure the signature of one of Europe’s most in-demand youngsters.
According to Sky Sports, Monaco’s flying left-back Benjamin Mendy is a summer target for most of the Premier League’s traditional elite. The 22-year-old, valued at around £26 million, has consistently been linked with Tottenham Hotspur in recent months after starring in the principality club’s march to the Champions League quarter-finals.
With more assists than any other defender in European competition this season, Mendy is renowned for his powerful bursts down the flank and razor sharp deliveries – as Manchester City discovered in the round-of-16.
As such, Mendy would appear an excellent upgrade on Ben Davies and the ideal player for Mauricio Pochettino’s high-intensity game plan at Tottenham.
Though, according to The Chronicle, the newly-capped France international could have already been honing his trade in England with Sunderland agreeing a fee of £8 million with Le Havre in the summer of 2013.
However, after failing to get the deal over the line, Ligue 1 giants Marseille stepped in and completed the swoop under Sunderland’s noses.
Consequently, infamous sporting director Roberto Di Fanti – who spent a huge sum on an extraordinary array of flops four summers ago – turned his attentions instead to one Andre Dossena.
While Mendy rapidly evolved into France’s hottest young full-back, the veteran Italian was playing for Leyton Orient just a year later.
Therefore, it’s fair to say Mendy is another to slip through Sunderland’s net.
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