Benjamin Mendy: Two Premier League clubs wanted to sign France defender

Tom Weber

• Updated: 20 Jul 2023 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

Disgraced former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has signed for Lorient, but he could have continued his career in the Premier League, according to French media.

The left-back was recently acquitted of his rape charges and signed for Ligue 1 side Lorient shortly after in a move that caused so much media attention that the club website temporarily shut down. The move divided opinion, to say the least.

One side rightfully pointed out that acquittal doesn't automatically prove innocence, while the other argued that it would be unjust if his career had been ended because of something he had not been found guilty of. Either way, it reignited the debate about sexual violence in football, which appears to be rampant in light of the many allegations that have recently come to light.

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Leaving England could help Mendy rebuild his career away from the bright spotlights of the Premier League, a move that also appears to be on the cards for Manchester United's Mason Greenwood. Nevertheless, Footmercato claims that Mendy had interest from Premier League sides.

Burnley and Nottingham Forest interested

According to the French outlet, newly-promoted Burnley, coached by Mendy's former Man City teammate Vincent Kompany, and Nottingham Forest were interested in signing the 29-year-old. Olympiakos, owned, like Forest, by Evangelos Marinakis, were also eyeing a move.

It would have been shocking to see Mendy suit up again in the Premier League, but his move to Lorient has also made huge waves in France, of course. So much so that even Minister of Sport Amélie Oudé-Castera weighed in on the matter.

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"I think that there are two things which are important. The first is to tell oneself that he has been acquitted. There were these two trials, these verdicts of the British courts. And if, when you are acquitted, it generates the same suspicion as when you are accused, then you lose the sense of justice. Benjamin Mendy was acquitted."

"Here, justice has passed and we must respect that. At the same time, we must continue to push for free speech and respect for victims. It is important for me to have this balance and that these facts are an opportunity to say it again."