Manchester City preparing a bid for Portuguese wonderkid

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 15: Rafa Silva of SL Benfica (L) vies with Nuno Mendes of Sporting CP (R) for the ball possession during the Liga NOS match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio da Luz on May 15, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 15: Rafa Silva of SL Benfica (L) vies with Nuno Mendes of Sporting CP (R) for the ball possession during the Liga NOS match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio da Luz on May 15, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

The position of left-back has always caused Manchester City and Pep Guardiola problems in the recent past. This season was no different.

Benjamin Mendy was supposed to be a regular starter in the City XI but constant injuries coupled with poor form has meant a lot of instability on the left defensive flank.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has fought well for his place and has become untouchable in the past few weeks in the City line-up. The Ukrainian will likely start in the XI that takes on Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League final.

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Earlier this season, the problems regarding the left-back position were so confounded that Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte at times were started on the left flank.

City will certainly hope to change that equation this summer.

Daily Mail understands that Manchester City are preparing a £52 million bid for Portuguese wonderkid and Sporting CP star, Nuno Mendes.

Pep Guardiola is said to be an admirer of the 18-year-old and the player is said to have a bright future. Nuno Mendes is regarded as one of the brighter prospects in European football.

It is believed that Sporting will look to cash in on the youngster who is also in favor of a move to England. The Priemiera Liga champions are looking to break their own transfer record as they look set to demand more than £46.6 million that rivals Manchester United paid for the services of Bruno Fernandes.

Perhaps, a fee in the range of £52 million could ensure the transfer but Sporting president Frederico Varandas is looking to get the Premier League champions to pay out the £60 million release clause of the 18-year-old.

Nuno Mendes is certainly a very attractive option simply because of the enormous potential that the player holds. His capabilities can be realized in full under a very able manager in Pep Guardiola.,

Other options for Manchester City are Ryan Bertrand, and Renan Lodi but signing Nuno Mendes is certainly not a bad idea.