The 18-year-old is among the most highly rated up and coming talents, attracting admiring glances from several European heavyweights, including Manchester City.
Mendes played a key role in helping Sporting Lisbon clinch the Primeira Liga title last season and also managed to earn a spot in Portugal’s squad in the recently concluded European Championship.
The Lisbon side are aware of the growing interest in their starlet and have slapped a €50m price tag on him.
And according to Portuguese daily Record, the Citizens have tried to test Sporting Lisbon’s resolve over Mendes as they proposed an informal bid for him involving €25m in fees plus a player.
However, the Leoes were not impressed with Manchester City’s proposal and knocked back the offer as they are only prepared to part ways with Mendes if they are paid €50m.
Sporting Lisbon’s hierarchy believe other potential suitors will approach them willing to match their asking price for Mendes in the future with him also set to play in the Champions League in the upcoming term and thus are in no rush to sell him.
Manchester City at the moment are not tipped to spend big money on Mendes but are keeping an eye on him as one for the future.
