Shropshire Star

Manchester City ‘close in on double defensive swoop’

Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy will reportedly become the world’s most expensive defender, while Real Madrid’s Danilo is also set to join City.

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Manchester City are closing in on a deal which would make Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy the world’s most expensive defender at £52million, according to reports.

City, who are in the United States on their pre-season tour, are also said to be inching towards a move for Danilo, the Brazilian right-back who plays for Real Madrid, their opponents in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The club have yet to confirm either deal but appear ready to continue their lavish spending on a back line that already contains Kyle Walker, who came in for an initial £45million from Tottenham this summer, and last year’s £47.5million arrival John Stones.

Danilo
Rel Madrid right-back Danilo could also be joining Mendy at the Etihad (Nick Potts/Empics)

Pep Guardiola has also drafted Portuguese goalkeeper Ederson (£35million), Douglas Luiz (£10million) and Mendy’s former Monaco team-mate Bernardo Silva for £43million.

Should Mendy and Danilo both check in to the Etihad Stadium, City’s spending since their third-placed Premier League finish last season would move beyond £200million.

Mendy has been high on their wanted list since impressing in Monaco’s two-legged victory over City in the Champions League’s round of 16. The 23-year-old only played one season for the principality club following his arrival from Marseille, playing 34 times and helping the club to their first Ligue 1 title in 17 years.

He has four caps for France, starting Les Bleus’ 3-2 win over England in June but he came off injured in the first half.

Since the end of the campaign, the club have allowed ageing full-backs Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy to move on, with Aleksandar Kolarov set to follow to Roma in the coming days.

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