Leicester City are reportedly close to confirming a deal with OGC Nice to bring the 24-year-old Nampalys Mendy to the King Power Stadium.
Leicester’s juggernaut doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. After Jamie Vardy rejected Arsenal’s advances to extended his contract, the Blues are now poised to splurge the cash in the transfer market. Claudio Ranieri would be pushing to add players to the Foxes’ squad as he looks to get his team prepared for their Champions league debut.
Reports coming out of France suggest that Leicester are closing in on a deal for 24-year-old defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy. L’Equipe‘s Monday edition reported that Leicester have agreed terms to sign Nampalys Mendy from OGC Nice. The Premier League Champions are prepared to pay up to is €16 million excluding bonuses, for the player. The French daily went on to add that Nampalys would sign a 4 year deal with The Blues.
The former France under-21 midfielder has experience playing under Claudio Ranieri during the Italian’s two year spell at AS Monaco. Mendy transferred to Nice from Monaco in 2013 and has become a mainstay in the Ligue 1 club’s midfield ever since. He has gone on to make more than 100 league appearances for the club and was made the captain of the side last season.
The 24-year-old defensive midfielder is known for his passing prowess, as he boasted an accuracy rate of over 92% in the 2015/16 Ligue 1 campaign. Ranieri would be looking towards Mendy to spray the ball all across the pitch with gumption. Rumors of N’Golo Kante leaving the Champions are gathering wind amidst interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea among a host of other clubs. Given the current circumstances, the club’s approach for a player so similar to Kante is well understood.
The reported asking rate is not huge, considering the inflated prices on the transfer market. If Ranieri manages to bring Nampalys Mendy to the King Power, the regista could slot right into the heart of midfield alongside Drinkwater and form an infallible partnership alongside the Englishman.
