Transfer Centre

Manchester City considering swoop for Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 31 December 2022

Man City considering swoop for Ferland Mendy?

Manchester City are reportedly weighing up a move to sign Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, with Carlo Ancelotti open to parting ways with the Frenchman.

Manchester City are reportedly weighing up a move to sign Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy.

The 27-year-old has spent the last three-and-a-half years at the Santiago Bernabeu since arriving from Lyon for an initial €48m and has made a total of 123 appearances across all competitions.

Mendy has been the first-choice left-back under manager Carlo Ancelotti so far this season, starting 17 of his 18 appearances across all competitions.

However, according to Defensa Central, Ancelotti is open to parting ways with Mendy and Real Madrid will consider his departure if they receive a suitable offer.

The report adds that the potential sale of Mendy may depend on whether Los Blancos can win the race for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, who has also been linked with Man City and a host of other Premier League clubs.

Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy celebrates scoring their fourth goal in November 2021 © Reuters

Man City are said to be keeping a close eye on Mendy's situation in the Spanish capital, with Pep Guardiola keen to bolster his options at left-back.

After allowing Oleksandr Zinchenko to join Arsenal in the summer, the Citizens recruited Sergio Gomez on a permanent deal from Anderlecht, but the 22-year-old has struggled for regular first-team football, making only five substitute appearances in the Premier League.

Indeed, Joao Cancelo – a right-back by trade – has cemented his place as Guardiola's first choice on the left side of the back four, and Gomez could fall further down the pecking order if City opt to recruit a new left-back.

Mendy is believed to be one name on City's shortlist, although Real Madrid are under no immediate pressure to sell the Frenchman as he is under contract at the Bernabeu until the summer of 2025.

Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy pictured in February 2021 © Reuters

During his time with Los Blancos, Mendy has won six trophies including two La Liga titles, one Champions League, two Spanish Super Cups and one UEFA Super Sup.

Man City are also understood to still hold an interest in Borussia Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro, who was identified as a potential alternative to last summer's top target Marc Cucurella.

A move for Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri has also been mooted, with Guardiola said to be an admirer of the 21-year-old.

One deal City could soon complete in the January transfer window is that of Argentine starlet Maximo Perrone, with one report claiming the Citizens are willing to activate the midfielder's £7.4m release clause in his contract at Velez Sarsfield.