Manchester City round-up: Mendy signing unveiled; Sanchez alternative lined-up; striker linked with Swansea return

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After what may seem like an age of speculation, Manchester City have officially announced the signing of Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy on the club’s website today, on a five-year contract.

The 23-year-old French international – as per BBC Sport – has joined in a deal reportedly worth around £52 million, making Mendy the world’s most expensive defender ever ahead of Kyle Walker.

In his first interview as a City player, Mendy said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City.

“They are one of Europe’s leading Clubs and in Pep Guardiola they have a manager committed to playing attacking football. I am sure that over the next few years we will be successful.”

Mendy will join up with City on the back of an impressive breakthrough season in France, featuring 32 times as he helped Monaco secure the Ligue 1 title and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Manchester City could be prepared to turn their attention to Monaco’s young sensation Kylian Mbappe if they fail to force a deal for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, according to reports from Goal.

Boss Pep Guardiola had made the 28-year-old Chilean his main priority this summer but, after allegedly growing in confidence about a deal, as per the Guardian, the Gunners have shut the door on a move.

And speaking shortly before Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia a fortnight ago BBC Sport reported that Arsene Wenger all-but confirmed that Sanchez won’t be leaving, denying all of the speculation.

This has forced Guardiola into looking elsewhere to bolster his attacking options, and despite the lofty price tag sitting on Mbappe’s head it is thought that City are already engaged in talks with him.

But Monaco revealed on Friday that a number of ‘important European football clubs’ have already spoken to the Frenchman without correct permission this summer – with the French champions considering reporting them to FIFA. If City are one of these then it could prove to be curtains on a move.

In other news, Manchester City have reportedly given permission to their Premier League rivals Swansea City to talk to striker Wilfried Bony about a proposed return to his former side this summer.

Wales Online believe that the Swans have been granted the green light to talk to the Ivorian as they look to agree personal terms, although his current £130,000-a-week wages could make things hard.

The 28-year-old arrived from Swansea in 2015 in a deal worth £28 million but, since then, he has struggled to meet the heights from his spell at the Liberty Stadium, scoring eight times in 46 matches at the Etihad.

Last season he was sent out on-loan to fellow top-flight side Stoke City but his woes continued, featuring just ten times and scoring twice, and it is thought that City are now keen to offload him.

Reports from the Independent earlier this month, claiming that a number of teams have shown interest, believe that the Manchester side would be willing to let him leave for around £14 million.