The biggest clubs are going crazy for Nuno
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 11.03.21. | 18:57
Sporting CP’s young left-back Nuno Mendes declined Liverpool’s advances a year ago, but he will have many suitors at the end of the season
Real Madrid, Manchester United, Milan, Juventus and probably a few other elite clubs are keeping a close eye on the 18-year-old Nuno Mendes, a youngster who’s having a terrific season with the Portuguese championship leaders Sporting Clube de Portugal. He’s decided against changing clubs when Liverpool came after him last January, but it’s only a matter of time the promising defender moves to a Top Five Leagues’ club.
Real Madrid currently seem to be the favourites to secure the Portuguese’s signature. Their legendary Brazilian Marcelo is certain to depart Estadio Santiago Bernabeu this June after losing his place to young Frenchman Ferland Mendy. The Madrid club wouldn’t have to worry about the future if they recruited Mendes. Having two young quality left backs is what every manager would wish for.
In the last 2 years, these U19 defenders have added the most value:
— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) March 8, 2021
???????? Benoit Badiashile +€21M
???????? R. Aït Nouri +€19.9M
???????? Nuno Mendes +€17M
???????? Josko Gvardiol +€16M
???????? W. Saliba +€14M
???????? Tanguy Nianzou +€11M
???????????????????????????? Neco Williams +€10M
???????? Tomás Esteves +€8M
Per @Transfermarkt pic.twitter.com/PKnTGkPmoG
Signing Nuno won’t come cheap, though. The youngster signed a new contract with the green and whites of Lisbon after deciding to stay in early 2020. This increased his release clause from $50 million to $80 million – and it has another four years to run. This puts Sporting in a good position to do business. They won’t allow their prized asset to leave Estadio Jose Alvalde for anything but top dollar.
Mendes is a strong and fast attacking left-back or winger. At Sporting he plays on the left of a four-man midfield where he’s heavily involved in both defence and attack. Together with the Spaniard Pedro Porro, who plays on the opposite wing, he makes one of Europe’s most dynamic pairings of wide players. This season he has played 24 games for his club, in which he has scored a goal and made two assists, and which have led him to be an under-21 international with Portugal.
Italian clubs Juventus and AC Milan have also been credited with an interest, but Liverpool may still try to get their man. If Nuno decides to join a Premier League club, he might be tempted by Leicester City and Manchester United. The Red Devils’ Luke Shaw is performing well in recent months, but signing an able deputy wouldn’t go amiss if Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer wants to mount a serious title challenge next season.
