• Ligue 1

Mendy: Man United my 'dream club'

ESPN staff
June 14, 2013
Nampalys Mendy has stood out for Monaco © Getty Images
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Monaco midfielder Nampalys Mendy has said Manchester United would be his "dream club" but that he plans to pursue his career in France for now.

Mendy, 20, is out of contract in the principality, where his displays in helping Monaco to last season's Ligue 2 title attracted widespread attention.

But although United are reported to have shown an interest in him, the France Under-21 international does not see himself moving abroad just yet.

"It's encouraging. They're the club of my dreams. It proves that I've done some good things, but I want to stay in France," he told lequipe.fr, adding that he would announce his plans when he returns from a holiday in Morocco. "I've already made my choice," he said.

French media reports suggest the defensive midfielder, sometimes described as "the new Claude Makelele", signed a pre-contract agreement with Nice some months ago.

But he denied a move from the Stade Louis II was motivated by the fear he might not maintain his place in Claudio Ranieri's side after Monaco's summer spending spree.

"It's not because of the competition. I'm not afraid of that. Everywhere I go, there'll be that," he explained.

"And it's not Ranieri's fault either. If there had only been him, I would have extended my contract... it's simply that I didn't like several things that happened during the renegotiation of my contract."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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