Sunderland closing in on Mendy

Sunderland have agreed a deal to sign Le Harve teenager Benjamin Mendy, according to the French club.

Their President Jean-Pierre Louvel told Radio Monte Carlo that a deal has been finalised with the North East club, leaving the player to make a decision.

The left-back had been linked with moves to Arsenal and Lyon, and Louvel refused to rule out the possibility of the Ligue 1 club re-entering the race for the player’s signature.

He said: “We came close to an agreement with Lyon, it has not happened but you never know”.

Sky Sports understands that Sunderland have played down reports that the deal is on the verge of completion, though the club has confirmed that he is a target.

The 18 year old made twenty-eight starts in each of the last two Ligue 2 campaigns, and has won caps for France at both under-17 and under-19 levels.

Should the deal be complete, Mendy will become manager Paolo Di Canio’s sixth new signing of the close season.