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Manchester City have signed Monaco 's Benjamin Mendy for fee believed to be in the region of £52m, a world record fee for a defender.
The Frenchman, who will wear No.22, puts pen to paper on a five-year deal to become Pep Guardiola's fifth signing of the summer.
French champions Monaco rejected City’s £44.5m bid last week and held out for the same as what City paid Tottenham for Kyle Walker . Last week City finally signed Walker, after months of negotiations, for a fee of £50m that could rise to £53m including add-ons.
How could Manchester City line up this season?Show all 11 1 /11How could Manchester City line up this season? How could Manchester City line up this season? Ederson Arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. Ederson’s prowess with the ball at his feet is so well-documented, his other attributes can be overlooked. Relied upon to produce big saves despite long periods of inactivity.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Joao Cancelo Expected to join from Juventus and provide competition for Kyle Walker. An attacking, aggressive full-back, Cancelo is precisely what Guardiola looks for in one of his key positions.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Fernandinho Following Vincent Kompany's departure and no new centre-half signing, Fernandinho may be relied upon in a more reserved role, right at the heart of City's defence rather than their midfield.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Aymeric Laporte Emerged as City’s undisputed first-choice centre-half in his first full season at the Etihad and widely considered the best in the league behind Virgil van Dijk. His ability to move across to left-back when Guardiola requires more protection is a useful asset.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Oleksandr Zinchenko The surprise success story of last year. Guardiola was delighted with Zinchenko’s attitude and application as a makeshift left-back. The Ukrainian rarely, if ever, let City down. While Benjamin Mendy has much to prove, Zinchenko is now an established starter.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Rodri The long-awaited successor to Fernandinho has finally arrived. Rodri brings with him an ability to read the game and dictate play from deep. Often compared to Sergio Busquets, he is a holding midfielder in Guardiola’s own image.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Bernardo Silva City’s player of the season in his sophomore year. Stepped out of the shadows and seemed to have telling impact in almost every game he played. Has definitively moved ahead of namesake David in the pecking order.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Kevin De Bruyne Last year was a frustrating one for De Bruyne, with injury after injury limiting his number of appearances. Fortunately, those knee and muscular problems are not expected to haunt him and this coming season could see a return to form.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Raheem Sterling Commended for his performances on the pitch and the public stances he has taken off it, Sterling has never been more important to City. Perhaps the biggest single beneficiary of Guardiola’s coaching.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Sergio Aguero A convert to Guardiola’s methods, Aguero has become a more complete player without losing any of his scoring capacity. Last season was one of his finest, and there is no reason why he should not maintain that high standard this year.
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How could Manchester City line up this season? Leroy Sane Entering his fourth season in English football and has dazzled when at his very best, but still not holding down a regular starting place. Bayern Munich’s interest is real and Sané could yet leave.
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Monaco have proven to be tough negotiators so far during the transfer window, getting a £40m fee from Chelsea for Tiemoue Bakayoko and an initial £43m from City for Bernardo Silva.
Fabinho has not been sold yet despite interest from City, Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain while wonderkid Kylian Mbappe looks set to stay in the principality for at least one more year.
Guardiola has long identified Mendy as the man he wants to be his left-back this season and he becomes City’s fifth signing after Silva, Walker, goalkeeper Ederson and Danilo.
Mendy joins fellow full-back, Danilo of Real Madrid who signed on Sunday as City's summer spending soars beyond £200m.
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