The Hard Tackle looks at three potential destinations for French defender Ferland Mendy, who could leave Real Madrid in the summer.
A big summer transfer window awaits Real Madrid, who could be set to make some major changes to their first-team squad. For a second successive summer, Los Blancos’ club captain will depart the Santiago Bernabeu, with Marcelo poised to leave once his contract runs out on June 30.
But Marcelo might not be the only left-back leaving Real Madrid. That is because Ferland Mendy is facing an uncertain future at the Bernabeu, with widespread reports claiming that the Merengues could sanction a sale in the summer transfer window, with his wage demands and attitude proving to be problematic.
Since arriving from Lyon in July 2019, Mendy has been a solid customer on the left side of the Real Madrid defence. And while injuries threatened to disrupt his Real Madrid stint at the tail end of last season, the French international has come through unscathed to become a key figure in the ongoing campaign.
But the latest development could jeopardize Mendy’s situation at Real Madrid, especially if his wage demands do not subside. With that in mind, The Hard Tackle takes a look at three potential destinations for the 26-year-old left-back in the summer transfer window.
Juventus
The first club on our list is one that could do with a left-back heading into the 2022/23 season, having neglected the position for a long time. We are, of course, talking about Juventus, who could once again be busy in the summer transfer window.
The Serie A heavyweights have endured a significant dip in fortunes since Maurizio Sarri’s exit in 2020. Juventus barely clinched a top-four finish in the Italian top-flight last season, and their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes this season hang by a thread.
A lot of Juventus’s struggles can be attributed to key figures in crucial positions being past their prime. And one such player is Alex Sandro, whose peak years are in the rearview mirror, leaving Juventus with no option but to find a replacement for him.
The Brazilian international has blown hot and cold this season, prompting Massimiliano Allegri to use Mattia De Sciglio as makeshift left-back several times. And with Luca Pellegrini struggling to be convincing enough, Juventus must sign a left-back in the summer transfer window, making Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy a viable target.
According to recent reports, the Italian giants view Mendy as the long-term replacement for Alex Sandro. And with the Frenchman only 26 years old, Juventus could enjoy the peak years of his career if they can prise him away from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
Paris Saint-Germain
The next club on our list may not necessarily need to bolster their options in the left-back department. But if history is anything to go by, Paris Saint-Germain’s preference has always been having multiple quality options for every position, much like Pep Guardiola’s outlook at Manchester City.
At PSG, Mauricio Pochettino currently has Juan Bernat, Nuno Mendes, and Layvin Kurzawa as his left-back options. But a closer look might suggest why several left-backs, including Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy, have been linked with Les Parisiens lately.
Kurzawa is poised to leave PSG in the summer transfer window after becoming a bit-part player this season. The Frenchman has already been linked with several clubs across Europe and might not have a problem securing a transfer away from Parc des Princes.
Bernat also faces an uncertain future at PSG after being omitted from their UEFA Champions League squad for the knockout stages. And while the Ligue 1 heavyweights will likely sign Nuno Mendes permanently, he will be the only left-back in the first-team setup if Bernat and Kurzawa depart in the summer.
Signing Mendy will thus be a step in the right direction for PSG, helping them create a world-class left-back department. But securing the services of the 26-year-old will be easier said than done, considering the strained relations between the French giants and Real Madrid following the Kylian Mbappe saga.
Tottenham Hotspur
The third and final option on our list might initially appear to be a left of centre destination for Mendy. But Tottenham Hotspur could offer the French international the chance to play in one of the best leagues in Europe while possibly competing in Europe.
Tottenham could well be forced to delve into the transfer market for a left-back in the summer transfer window as Real Madrid could re-sign Sergio Reguilon. With signing a left-back suddenly a possible priority for them, the Merengues are weighing up the prospect of bringing the Spaniard back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
It is highly likely that Reguilon will replace Mendy if he returns to Real Madrid. And the French defender could complete the essential swap by filling the Spanish left-back’s void at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Real Madrid’s option on Reguilon is worth €40 million, meaning Tottenham could offset the cost of signing Mendy with the money they recoup from the 25-year-old’s sale. But a major stumbling block for Spurs would be their ability to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. If unsuccessful in reaching Europe’s top-tier competition, they might have to set sights on other left-backs instead.