‘DELIGHTED’ MENDY TARGETS SUCCESS WITH GUARDIOLA
▶ Frenchman completes transfer to Manchester City in a record deal for a defender
Benjamin Mendy has signed a fiveyear contract with Manchester City making him the world’s most expensive defender.
Ligue 1 champions Monaco have agreed a deal for the Frenchman worth reported to be worth £52 million (Dh248.9m), which is a record for a defender.
He will link up with his new teammates in the United States where Pep Guardiola’s side are preparing for their second pre-season tour game against Real Madrid in Los Angeles tomorrow.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City,” Mendy said on the club’s website following the confirmation that the deal had been completed.
“They are one of Europe’s leading clubs and in Pep Guardiola they have a manager committed to playing attacking football.
“I am sure that over the next few years we will be successful.”
Kyle Walker, Danilo and goalkeeper Ederson are the other players to join a new-look City backline with Mendy’s Monaco teammate Bernardo Silva coming in to bolster the midfield in a busy summer of recruitment for City.
Guardiola had been keen to add Mendy to his full-back options after selling Aleksandar Kolarov to Roma and releasing Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta this summer.
The deal took a while to complete, but City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, was pleased to have secured their first-choice target.
“Benjamin has all the qualities we are looking for in a full-back. For such a young player, he has a wealth of top-level experience,” he said.
“He is undoubtedly one of the world’s best full-backs, our No 1 target in this position. We are all delighted to have him here at Manchester City.
“I’m sure he will prove a fantastic addition to the squad.”
Mendy joined Monaco last summer from Marseille.
His impressive displays in helping them win the French title and reach the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League, where they defeated City along the way, ensured he was on Guardiola’s radar this transfer window.
Mendy made his France debut in a 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg in March.
City finished third in the Premier League last season behind champions Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
They begin their bid for a third title in seven years at newly promoted Brighton & Hove Albion on August 12.