Arsenal are reportedly in talks with representatives of Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, but will face stiff competition from title rivals Liverpool for the 28-year-old.
It has been a busy week for Arsenal transfer news, with the Gunners reportedly looking to add another left-back to the squad.
Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri is also among Arteta’s targets.
A fruitful relationship
Though Liverpool are also chasing Mendy, Arsenal may feel they have an upper hand in negotiations, as they have had a productive relationship with Los Blancos over the last decade.
Arsenal have signed Martin Ødegaard, Dani Ceballos and Mesut Özil from Real Madrid in the last 11 years, and have a long history of business with Los Merengues, including the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Lassana Diarra and even Davor Suker.
The Gunners have had a fairly settled core this season, but the left-back spot is clearly up for grabs.
Liverpool are looking for someone to compete with Andy Robertson, but may be a step behind the Gunners as surely any prospective manager looking to fill Jurgen Klopp’s imminent vacancy would want to sign off on a move.
A market opportunity
Fresh from playing every minute of Real's heavyweight tie with Manchester City, Mendy has had a successful time at the Bernabeu since joining from Lyon in 2019 for €48m.
He has made 165 appearances, winning two La Liga titles as well as lifting the 2021/22 Champions League.
But the Frenchman will have just a year left on his deal by the time the summer transfer window opens.
Real have opted not to renew his contract, because they have secured the signing of Alphonso Davies, so will seek to cash in on Mendy.
Mendy is a superb athlete, capable of haring up and down the touchline all game long, and is blessed with speed and strength. He is a very well-rounded player, capable of playing the left-back role in a variety of ways.
The former Lyon and Le Havre man will turn 29 before the next season. This is outside of both Arsenal and Liverpool’s usual policy of signing players still yet to hit their prime.
But with a relative lack of top left-back options on the market this summer, Mendy is probably the best ready-made option money can buy this summer.
For Arsenal in particular, it may be no bad thing to have an older head in the defence to calm any title nerves.
