‘Well on his way’ - 33-time international holds contract talks after Man Utd interest
The 22-year-old made his professional debut under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP
Highly-rated Portuguese win-back Nuno Mendes is believed to be ‘well on his way’ to securing a new long-term contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, despite rampant speculation linking him with a stunning reunion with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United this month.
Mendes, who arrived at PSG in a £34m deal in 2022, is under contract at the Parc Des Princes until 2026 and had previously hinted at his desire to leave the French capital in the near future.
Sky Germany transfer guru Florian Plettenberg posted earlier this month: “Nuno #Mendes does not plan to sign a new contract with @PSG_inside at this stage!
“22y/o top left-back considering other options. The player still intends to take his time to carefully consider his future.
“Manchester United, still monitoring his situation closely and informed about everything.”
TeamTalk reported that Mendes was Manchester United’s priority target due to his previous relationship of working with Ruben Amorim and his familiarity with the 39-year-old’s 3-4-3 system which is reliant on high-pressing attacking minded wing-backs with the ability to excel at both ends of the pitch.
Nuno Mendes career so far
Nuno Mendes progressed through the highly-esteemed Sporting academy and represented Portugal at all age groups from Under-16 to Under-21 before breaking into the senior international squad in 2021.
He has 33 caps for Portugal and was included in the squads for Euro 2020, World Cup 2022 and Euro 2024 where he played alongside Manchester United duo Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.
The 22-year-old was one of a number of talented youth players to progress into the first team under Amorim and in his first full season as a professional formed part of the team which lifted the Portuguese title for the first time in over a decade.
He made 29 appearances for the eventual winners and earned himself a place in the Team of the Year after a series of hugely impressive displays.
After a sensational breakout campaign, Mendes joined PSG on an initial loan deal which included a £34 obligation to buy the following summer. A disappointed Amorim said at the time: “It’s a shame to see him in a PSG shirt. I wish him all the luck in the world. He’s missed because he was a really funny kid.”
Manchester United miss out on Nuno Mendes
Three-time French champion Nuno Mendes has reportedly reversed his decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain in January and is now understood to be in ‘advanced talks’ over a new long-term deal in the French capital.
A fresh update from L’Equipe, outlines details of the remarkable U-turn, which has reportedly been instigated by PSG manager, Luis Enrique.
Their headline reads: “Wanting to leave and then extend, Nuno Mendes well on his way to staying at PSG.”
L’Equipe added: ‘In talks to extend for months, the PSG full-back imagined himself at Manchester United this winter. Before seeing himself, once again, staying in the capital.’