Monaco reject Manchester City’s £44.5m Benjamin Mendy bid

Manchester City have fallen short with their approach for AS Monaco ace Benjamin Mendy, according to a report.

The Citizens are said to have tabled a £44.5m offer for the France international, as they look to further add to their full-back ranks ahead of the new campaign.

Less than a week on from signing Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur in a world-record deal for a defender, the Daily Mail suggests that City have now officially made a move for Mendy.

It is claimed that Monaco instead value their title-winning player higher than Walker, though, with the Ligue 1 champions holding out for a sum of £54m.

Chelsea are also understood to have made an enquiry this summer and could match any successful bid from their Premier League rivals, having seen their attempt to sign Alex Sandro from Juventus hit a brick wall.

City boss Pep Guardiola is desperate to freshen up both defensive flanks during the off-season, with Danilo also expected to join from Real Madrid in the coming days – direct competition for Walker on the right.