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Manchester City eye move for Sporting's Nuno Mendes

By Harry Symeou

Sporting's Nuno Mendes is highly-rated across the continent
Sporting's Nuno Mendes is highly-rated across the continent / Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
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Premier League champions Manchester City are preparing an approach for Sporting's Nuno Mendes.

The left-back has been a huge part of the club's success this season having helped the Lisbon=based club to their first Liga NOS title in 19 years.

At 18 years old, Mendes is regarded as one of European football's brightest young talents and according to A Bola, the Manchester-based outfit are planning to bring him to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Ruben Amorim, Antonio Adan, Luis Maximiano, Zouhair Feddal, Sebastian Coates, Nuno Mendes, Luis Neto, Pedro Porro, Goncalo Inacio, Antunes, Eduardo Quaresma, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Goncalves, Daniel Braganca, Rodrigo Fernandes, Nuno Santos, Tiago Tomas, Gonzalo Plata, Luiz Phellype, Jovane Cabral, Lumor Agbenyenu, Joao Mario, Bruno Paz, Bruno Tabata, Joelson Fernandes, Mees de Wit, Joao Palhinha, Paulinho, Joao Pereira, Matheus Reis, Dario Essugo
Nuno Mendes celebrated a Portuguese title win with his teammates earlier this week / Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

The Portuguese outlet claim initial discussions have already taken place between City's representatives and those of the Liga NOS winners but a formal bid is yet to be made. It's said that the Premier League club plan to take their interest further after the upcoming Champions League final.

Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain are said to be huge admirers of the defender and are set on negotiating a transfer ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

City's current left-back options include Benjamin Mendy, who largely due to injuries has struggled to live up to his £52m price tag since joining from Monaco in 2017, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has frequently filled the position despite having started out as a midfield player. While the latter has done a solid job, it's an area they could certainly do with upgrading in.

Benjamin Mendy
Benjamin Mendy has failed to live up to his £52m price tag since joining Manchester City / Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Mendes would certainly be a perfect fit for City and Guardiola. He's quick, technically gifted and an excellent defender, but Sporting will be well aware of his value so you'd think it's going to take a substantial offer to prise him away from the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

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