City step up pursuit of Mendy

MANCHESTER CITY will press to sign Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy this week.

Talks are ongoing and City are keen to fend off competition for the France international left-back from Manchester United.

Both clubs are understood to have expressed a willingness to pay Monaco’s asking price of £38million.

City are understood to be favourites after talks were held last week ahead of the £43m purchase of Bernardo Silva.

Ominously though, United manager Jose Mourinho was at the Monaco Grand Prix yesterday as he winds down following the end of their season.

Mourinho spoke to Sky Sports and said: ‘I have no idea. You have to ask Ed Woodward. He knows everything since March. ‘I’m really happy with our season, I’m really happy with the trophies, I’m really happy to be back in the Champions League but now it’s the time for me to disconnect completely.’

City, meanwhile, maintain a strong interest in Benfica goalkeeper Ederson, who has been on their radar for over a year.

Benfica want £35million for the 23-year-old but an extra stumbling block is that he is the subject of third party ownership which would need resolving before City pursue any deal.