City set to miss out on Mendy

Cardiff City look set to miss out on target Benjamin Mendy with the teenage full-back opting to stay in France.

Malky Mackay had hoped to hijack the left-back's move to Premier League rivals Sunderland, but it now looks likely both clubs will not be signing the 19-year-old with Mendy reportedly keen for a move from current club Le Harve to Marseilles instead.

But Le Harve president Jean-Pierre Louvel has warned Marseille that they must match Sunderland's offer for the player despite the fact Mendy has apparently already visited Marseilles training camp to under-go a medical.

Lovel commented: "It does not shock me that he goes to visit Marseille. That sounds very normal for him to make his choice.

"But he knows that, to seal a deal with a club, you have to have the green light from Le Havre. And I repeat that we do not negotiate below what Sunderland have offered."

Mackay is looking to add to his defence this summer, but his only signing so far has been the £8.5m capture of Danish frontman, Andreas Cornelius, from FC Copenhagen. The Bluebirds manager is still currently trying to broker a deal to bring rising star Thomas Ince to the Welsh capital from Blackpool.

Meanwhile Southampton have reignited their interest in signing Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama.



The Saints had already had a £12m bid accepted for Wanyama, but failed to agree personal terms with the Kenyan international. It looked then that the Bluebirds, who had tabled their own bid in the region of £10m, might step in.

But sources at Cardiff now maintain they will not continue their pursuit of the player and Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who is currently with his side on pre-season tour of Germany, said Wanyama might be on his way to St Mary's after all.

"I had a chat with Victor and he's a wee bit confused but what we gather is that Southampton have re-ignited their interest," said Lennon.

"They've shown an interest again and the bid is there. It's all about the negotiations between Saints and the agent now. I'd imagine that might get the ball rolling again.

"I've only seen Victor for a couple of days but he trained with the rest of the squad who didn't play against Cluj. If nothing materialises, he'll play some of the [friendly] game on Tuesday against Greuther Furth."

Shame that. The young French centre back, Zouma or something looked a good player in the recent u20 World Cup. I've read of a tenuous link to this player. I think most links are tenuous at this stage.

Jul 8, 2013 11:09:00 PM
The Ligue 1 side are set to seal the signing of the Le Havre youngster despite competition from Premier League outfit Sunderland

Olympique de Marseille have agreed a deal with Le Havre for the transfer of defender Benjamin Mendy.

France Under-19 international Mendy made 28 appearances in Ligue 2 last term as Le Havre finished sixth, 10 points off the promotion spots.

Premier League side Sunderland had also come to an agreement over the 19-year-old, but he has seemingly opted to remain on home shores and complete a switch to Stade Velodrome.

"Olympique de Marseille and Le Havre AC have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Benjamin Mendy," Marseille confirmed on their official website.

Elie Baup's side have already sealed the signature of France international winger Dimitri Payet from Lille in a move worth a reported €10 million.