Manchester United have reportedly stolen a march on their rivals Manchester City by opening discussions to sign Sporting Lisbon star Nuno Mendes.
The left-back has made a rapid rise to prominence this campaign, playing 44 matches in all competitions for Sporting.
The Portuguese side won the title for the first time in almost 20 years earlier this week and that was in no small part thanks to Mendes’ display from defence.
The defender will turn 19 next month and is already expected to be named in Portugal’s squad for this summer’s European Championships.
Mendes has a release clause of about £61m in his current contract but Sporting Lisbon value him at around £52m and would be will accept a lower fee for the player, because of their financial situation.
Alex Telles joined United from Porto last summer for a fee of around £13m but he has failed to impress at the club, even if he has already served his purpose in putting pressure on Luke Shaw at left-back position.
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Aleksander Zinchenko, Benjamin Mendy and Joao Cancelo have shared left-back position at the Etihad this season and City are arguably in greater need of the defender, given Cancelo’s preferred role is from right-back.
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However, the Sun claim the Red devils have made the first move for Mendes by opening discussions with Sporting and the player’s representatives.
Mendes’ agent, Miguel Pinho, also represents Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United have a good relationship with the Portuguese side.
United signed Fernandes for around £47 million in the January window of 2020, while they’ve worked with the club in the past on deals for players like Marcos Rojo, Luis Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo.
