Manchester City's interest in Nuno Mendes looks to be over, with Sporting CP preparing for next season under the assumption the youngster will still be part of their squad.
Pep Guardiola is an admirer of the Portugal international and was mooted to be lining up a summer move in a bid to strengthen his options on the left-hand side of defence.
The Catalan tactician has been unable to settle on a first-choice left-back in recent seasons with Benjamin Mendy, Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko all being given opportunities to cement their place in the role.
Sporting had come to terms with the fact they would be forced to cash in on their prized asset and were willing to accept an offer of €55m (£47.1m), though Portuguese news outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness) report that no bid has yet been made and Sporting are therefore planning for next season under the assumption Mendes will still be at the club.
The report adds that the process has now been 'frozen' with Sporting looking to generate transfer funds via other means, though there may yet be a lifeline for City's pursuit of the 19-year-old.
Mendes' current deal contains a €70m (£60m) release clause, meaning Sporting's hands would be tied if City were to reignite their pursuit and trigger said clause, but it would see them pay way over the odds compared to the fee Sporting were initially requesting.
Mendes enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Sporting last season, featuring in 29 of his side's 34 league outings as they were crowned Portuguese champions for the first time since 2002.
His stellar performances have seen him gain international recognition with Portugal, though he's yet to be handed his major international tournament debut having been named in Fernando Santos' 26-man squad for Euro 2020 - and in 90min's Our 21 series.
Source : 90min