On July 1st, French newspaper L’Equipe reported Benjamin Mendy had given his ‘yes’ to Manchester City.
Liverpool and other clubs had been interested in the AS Monaco fullback, but Pep Guardiola spoke to the player, as often seems to happen, and explained a clear role for Mendy at Manchester City.
That was the easier part sorted out, with convincing Monaco always likely to be harder.
Exactly a week ago, the same French newspaper reported two offers from Manchester City for Mendy. The first had been €40m and the second €45m, both had been flatly refused by Monaco.
The only way the French principality club would sell, explained L’Equipe, was for something ‘exceptional’, and the magic number to get there was €50m+.
In their Friday edition, L’Equipe say that after ‘weeks of negotiations’ Manchester City can agree the transfer of Mendy ‘in the hours to come’.
Things are really moving, but another Manchester City offer has been rejected, this time of €52.5m.
Manchester City now know they have to ‘enter financial galaxies almost never reached for a defender’, say L’Equipe. The price of Kyle Walker is pointed out, €57m, and the French newspaper believe an agreement will be reached ‘around that sum’.
Both clubs are said to be confident a deal could be agreed today or ‘in the hours to come’.
