Monaco Reject Pep Guardiola’s Bid For Benjamin Mendy

Monaco have rejected a bid of £44.5 million from Manchester City for full-back Benjamin Mendy, according to multiple reports.

The left-back has been identified as a top target for manager Pep Guardiola, who wants to bring three full-backs to the club. City have already signed England international Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur this summer in a deal, which could potentially reach up to £50m depending on his success at the club.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Ligue 1 champions Monaco want a similar fee for Mendy, who is four years younger than Walker.

Sources have said that City had hoped to reach an agreement with Monaco this week after pursuing the left-back all summer.

Premier League champions Chelsea have also been linked with a potential late bid to sign the France international. The two clubs are already battling it out for the signature of Real Madrid right-back Danilo, while Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand is another defender who has been linked.

Pep Guardiola wants at least three new full-backs after allowing Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy to leave at the end of last season when their contracts expired.

Brazilian defender Danilo is a versatile option because of his ability to play in either full-back position and in central midfield.

Mendy, meanwhile, is seen as an attacking left-back, which Guardiola felt they were missing in his first season at the club.