Manchester City target Benjamin Mendy left OUT of Monaco pre-season squad for trip to Switzerland
Pep Guardiola handed major boost as he searches for another full-back
MANCHESTER CITY have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Monaco full-back Benjamin Mendy.
The French left-back, 22, has been left OUT of the Monaco pre-season squad that travelled to Switzerland.
Pep Guardiola is keen to wrap up a deal for the £40million full-back as quickly as possible, so he can travel with the rest of the Man City squad to the US.
The Prem club head to Houston on Monday and face a pre-season match against rivals Manchester United next week.
Mendy has been a Guardiola priority for months after impressing in Monaco's brilliant Ligue 1 winning campaign and the club's run to the Champions League semi-final.
Guardiola got rid of three full-backs this summer, allowing Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta to all leave for free.
SunSport revealed last month that Mendy will sign a four-year deal worth £100,000-a-week to move to the Etihad.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola is also closing in on a stunning £50m move for Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker.
Latest Man City transfer news
Benjamin Mendy factfile
- Born in Longjumeau, a suburb of Paris, on July 17, 1994
- Started his career at local side Palaiseau before moving Le Havre at 13
- Made his senior debut at 17 and played two seasons for Le Havre
- Moved to Marseille for £3.4m, becoming a crucial part of the side
- Monaco then moved for the left-back and he had a stunning season, helping Leonardo Jardim's side win Ligue 1 - he was also named in the Ligue 1 team of the season
- Has played for France at every level from U16 to seniors, winning four caps for Les Bleus
The England man will have his medical on Friday and the deal could cost up to £55m with add-ons.
City had been linked with Dani Alves, but the Brazilian was offered a significantly larger pay packet by Paris Saint-Germain.
Pep Guardiola currently has just one full-back in his squad - Aleksandar Kolarov, who Guardiola preferred to play at centre-back last season.
Earlier this week, Mendy sent Man City fans into a spin when he was pictured wearing Union Jack shorts on a beach.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip in our live blog
