Former target is now one to want

BENJAMIN Mendy has had quite the rise in recent seasons, and looks set to make a move to the Premier League this summer.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City as well as Chelsea were linked with summer bids for him.

The 22-year-old is having an exceptional campaign with the French side and has assisted more goals than any other defender in this season’s Champions League - three in total, with a further five in Ligue 1 too.

His move to England is four years later than it was initially expected to be, however. That’s because, in the summer of 2013 Sunderland thought they had the top prospect in the bag.

That summer, was Roberto de Fanti’s ill-fated transfer window in which the director of football signed 13 players in total. Vito Mannone is the only one who remains at the club with the majority proving to be flops. Fabio Borini was one of the 13 as he arrived on loan, and after initially he leaving after that, he rejoined the Black Cats permanently 12 months later. Duncan Watmore was a 14th summer arrival but he was nothing to do with De Fanti.

Modibo Diakite, Valentin Roberge, Cabral, Jozy Altidore. Just some of the flops of that summer.

However, he was unfortunate in one deal though, as he narrowly missed out on Mendy who has of course developed into a gem.

At the time the Wearsiders agreed a fee with Le Havre where the 19-year-old was playing. It was believed to have been around €10m – significantly less than the fee he’s expected to go for now.

It is understood he’d undergone a medical for the club.

Unfortunately, at the last minute in came Marseille who matched the offer of Sunderland for the teenage prospect.