Lorient began talks to sign Benjamin Mendy before acquittal – reports
With Lorient announcing the surprise signing of French left-back Benjamin Mendy this morning, Le Parisien have taken a look at how the deal to bring in the former Manchester City man developed behind the scenes.
Mendy was found not guilty of one count of rape and another of attempted rape last week, having previously been cleared of six charges of rape and one of sexual assault back in January. He has now been acquitted of all charges. He had been arrested in August of 2021, from which point he was suspended by the Premier League team. His contract expired at the end of last season.
According to Le Parisien, Les Merlus moved to sign the former Monaco and Marseille defender a month ago – well before his acquittal. The Ligue 1 side had reached out to his agent Meïssa N’diaye, who also represents the club’s head coach Régis Le Bris. Le Parisien have sought to reach N’diaye for comment, but the agent has not responded.
The left-back successfully passed his medical in Paris, with Le Parisien’s sources at the club indicating that the results were “reassuring“. Club president Loïc Féry has not responded to the outlet’s request for comment. Mendy will wear the number five shirt for Lorient, and the club has indicated that he will appear at the training ground for the first time later today.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
Read on getfootballnewsfrance.com
