Monaco hotshot Benjamin Mendy is garnering interest from each of the Premier League's top six teams, but Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea are the likeliest candidates to acquire the left-back, according to Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas.
The 22-year-old joined Monaco from Marseille for £13 million just last summer, but his pacey wrecking-ball runs down the left for Leonardo Jardim's throng would see the principality outfit demand around double that figure at the end of this season.
Jose Mourinho's public attacks of Luke Shaw's professionalism and on-pitch know-how would appear to pose a last-chance saloon for the England left-back at United, hence the Old Trafford club's interest in Mendy. Antonio Conte, meanwhile, is determined not to rest on his laurels after what seems to be a sewn-up Premier League title, and has apparently identified Mendy, Bayern Munich's David Alaba, and Juventus' Alex Sandro as potential left-sided options.
Given the ageing backline at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola's need looks more critical. Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov are both aged 31 and have both been defensively culpable this term, and Guardiola saw Mendy's physicality first-hand when he starred in Monaco's high-scoring dismissal of City in the Champions League Round of 16.
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Tottenham Hotspur did have interest in Mendy last summer, but Mauricio Pochettino is now happy with Danny Rose and Ben Davies at White Hart Lane. Matters at Arsenal are unclear while Arsene Wenger's future is unknown, with the former Monaco handler's current choices at left-back being Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs.
That leaves Liverpool as the remaining top-six party - a side that's fielded natural midfielder James Milner at left-back for the vast majority of this campaign following erratic performances from Alberto Moreno.
For the Reds, like the rest of those jostling for position in the top four, plenty could hinge on where they wind up at the end of the season. It's understood that Monaco's top-spot standing in Ligue 1 and run in the Champions League have encouraged Mendy to only consider clubs that can compete for honours both domestically and on the continental scene next term.
(Courtesy: Sky Sports)
In addition to Mendy's bustling runs and eye for a pass in the final third, the ex-Le Havre fledgling is among Monaco's leaders in interceptions and tackles. He earned his first call-up to the France squad in March 2017, making his international bow and playing the full 90 minutes of the 3-1 World Cup qualification win over Luxembourg.
