Manchester City’s bid to land Sporting Lisbon’s teenage defender Nuno Mendes has been put on hold until after the Euros.
Mendes, 18, has been told by Portugal boss Fernando Santos that he must concentrate fully on helping his country defend their European crown and forget about any big-money transfers.
He has been targeted by City to solve a left-back problem that has plagued Pep Guardiola since he arrived at the Etihad five years ago.
The Premier League champions opened talks with Mendes’ advisers in May.
But they have not yet triggered a £60.1million buy-out clause in a contract that still has four years left to run.
(Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)
And the Blues are now running the risk of Real Madrid firming up their interest in the player if he impresses over the next month.
City trio Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo have been helping with a charm offensive to convince Mendes that he would enjoy life in the Premier League.
Dias was named Footballer of the Year after an impressive first season at the Etihad.
Left-back has been proving a tough position for City to fill.
Benjamin Mendy has not lived up to his £52million price-tag since arriving at City three years ago.
The Frenchman suffered a serious knee injury in his first season at the club and has struggled for fitness and form ever since.
City are open to offers for the 26-year-old World Cup winner, who was unable to force his way past converted midfielder Aleks Zinchenko to win a place in Guardiola’s team for the Champions League final.
Zinchenko, 24, has impressed after being moved to left-back by Guardiola when Mendy was injured.
But his lack of defensive instinct was exposed when Kai Havertz scored the goal that made Chelsea European champions in Porto last month.
Cancelo has also played on the left-side of City’s defence with some success going forward, but has struggled defensively.
