It’s official: football has a new world’s most expensive defender. Nearly two weeks after Man City shattered the record for Kyle Walker, the Citizens did themselves one better by signing Benjamin Mendy.
The Premier League giants ended weeks of speculation by announcing the deal on Monday. The 23-year-old was handed the number 22 jersey after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal.
And his fee: £52m. This figure saw him overtake Walker’s £50m price tag, meaning Pep Guardiola can field full-back worth a combined £102 for the upcoming season.
Given the player’s fee, his Etihad switch led to mixed reaction. Whilst many drooled over Mendy – mainly Man City fans – other poked fun at his price tag and the Citizens’ spending this summer. Check out the best tweets.
Jean-Philippe Mendy > Benjamin Mendy
— Matej Žibert (@yodazib) July 24, 2017
Mendy £52mil, Walker £50mil, Danilo £30ish.
— Calvin Andrea (@CalvinAndrea) July 24, 2017
With that money they should've hijack alaba, Boateng/Hummels/Ramos, Alex Sandro
Man City fullbacks: Mendy and Walker cost £102 million.
— Liam (@Le__Professeur) July 24, 2017
Arsenal fullbacks: Kolasinac and Bellerin cost £0.#AFC pic.twitter.com/yK8oLwwMgX
Benjamin Mendy, most expensive defender in history, soon to be beaten by Van Dijk
— Will (@MainmanSalah) July 24, 2017
Manchester City justifying why they just spent £52m on Benjamin Mendy. Bargain by the sounds of it. pic.twitter.com/lTEkxzzCL3
— SofaUltra - Football (@SofaUltra) July 24, 2017
Man City's summer spending so far
— Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful) July 24, 2017
Mendy £52m
Walker £50m
Silva £43m
Ederson £35m
Danilo £25m
TOTAL £205m #mcfc pic.twitter.com/sRN4cu0UtX
Man City now have the most expensive defence in history. A combined £171M for Stones, Mendy, Walker & Danilo. You'd expect 38 clean sheets.
— Lisa Johnson (@girlmanutd) July 24, 2017
"How does it feel being the most expensive defender of... Hold on please"
— TheFootballCommunity (@Footy_Community) July 24, 2017
"Mendy just signed for £52m?"
"You're no longer needed". pic.twitter.com/TOIPsGArkL
Manchester City's full-back signings this summer
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) July 24, 2017
Kyle Walker: £54m
Benjamin Mendy: £52m
Danilo: £27m pic.twitter.com/Rn9kB6kVnX
Regardless, the Frenchman was excited to join up with Guardiola and the English giants. He told the club’s official website: “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.”
Mendy’s 2016/17 campaign helped his former side win Ligue 1 and reach the Champions League semi-final, establishing himself as one of the most exciting attacking full-backs along the way.
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