Man United to battle Man City for £52m-rated Sporting Lisbon wonder kid Nuno Mendes

Manchester United have reportedly stolen a march on rivals Manchester City by opening talks to sign Sporting Lisbon star Nuno Mendes.

Mendes, who has been with Sporting from the age of 10, only made his senior first-team debut under a year ago and has already attracted scouts from elite clubs across the continent.

The 18-year-old Sporting Lisbon’s wonderkid is enjoying an excellent season with the Portuguese giants, with City reportedly considering a move for the left-back ahead of the summer transfer window.

Aleksander Zinchenko, Benjamin Mendy and Joao Cancelo have shared left-back duties at the Etihad this term and City are arguably in greater need of Mendes, given Cancelo’s preferred role is from right-back.

However, the Sun claim Manchester United have made the first move for Mendes by opening talks with Sporting and the player’s representatives.

The Sun further reports that the new Primeira Liga champions will demand a transfer fee in the region of £52 million.

The report also adds that Man City are not actively planning to make a move for the teenager, but it would still take a bid in excess of £50m to prise Mendes away from Sporting.

The left-back – who is also capable of playing further up the pitch – extended his deal with Sporting until the summer of 2025 last year.